A distraught family has criticized police for digging up their dog's corpse before throwing it upside down in a rubbish bin.
Antony Evans was horrified when he learned his brother James' elderly dog had been exhumed by police just hours after the animal was peacefully buried in his favorite spot.
The 50-year-old said Labrador Flint was a “big part of the family” and was given a happy send-off in woodland near Newtown, Wales, following his death last month.
However, the father-of-two soon discovered that Flint had been 'dug up' after Dyfed-Powys Police received a report of a man with a 'large bag of rubbish' seen 'kneeling with a shovel' in the woods and ' thought it might be a corpse'.
Antony, who lives in Newtown, Powys, Wales, knew immediately it was Flint and contacted local police to collect his deceased pet.
Antony Evans, 50, said Labrador Flint was a “big part of the family” and was given a happy send-off in woodland near Newtown, Wales, following his death last month.
However, Flint was 'unearthed' by Dyfed-Powys Police, who received a report of a man with a 'large bag of rubbish' seen 'kneeling with a shovel' in the woods and 'thought it might be a dead body'. Pictured: brothers Antony Evans and James Evans with the late Labrador Flint
Antony Evans pointing to the area of the woods where the Flint family dog was buried
But the former power line worker was left disgusted when he went to collect Flint's remains from the police station and found him “upside down in a rubbish bin”.
The grandfather of three said police showed no consideration for his family or Flint – and is calling for a formal apology from the police.
“When I went to the police station, they took a trash can with duct tape and Flint was lying there,” Antony said.
“We thought he was in a freezer, but we discovered he was in a blue bin upside down. It's been an absolute nightmare. We found him in the garbage dumpster, bleeding from the mouth.
“They said it was too expensive to keep it in the freezer. They had no consideration for the family or the way they treated the body.
— It was just swept under the table. They don't care. It meant nothing to them. They weren't friendly at all, and that's what irritated me.
Flint began falling ill earlier this summer after struggling to walk around the house.
So when he died in August, the family agreed to bury him in his favorite place – a local woodland in mid Wales.
Flint began falling ill earlier this summer after struggling to walk around the house. So when he died in August, the family agreed to bury him in his favorite place – a local woodland in mid Wales.
Antony Evans said he was disgusted when he went to collect Flint's remains from the police station and found him “upside down in a rubbish bin”.
After making a complaint, Antony received a letter from Dyfed-Powys Police explaining why a number of measures had been taken
Anthony said: 'Flint used to talk to us. He used to talk back to us when we talked to him. James only had Flint – it was just the two of them. He is alone. Everyone loved the dog.
“He had more friends in the city than we did. He was James's best friend. They used to sleep together every night.
“He was coughing a lot and started having difficulty going down the stairs. He lived such a happy life. His death really affected James.
'James and Flint used to walk in the woods all the time. He had a happy farewell in the forest.
'I dug a hole while they went to the vet and we put him in and James kissed him. We filled it out and James put a cross there and he was happy.
However, the family soon learned that police officers had appeared in the woods following a call claiming that a “corpse” had been buried in the woods.
Distraught, Antony called the police to explain the situation – and ask where his beloved pet was.
Antônio said: “The next thing you know, we heard the police turned up in the woods and dug him up.
“Everyone around here knew Flint and knew he had died. I told the officer on the phone, 'To be fair, I don't kill that many people.'
“There is no crime here – we are in mid-Wales. It is the safest county in Wales.
After making a complaint, Antony received a letter from Dyfed-Powys Police explaining why various measures had been taken.
The letter states there was 'no facility' at the station to store Flint in the freezer and made 'unsuccessful inquiries' to contact the owner
The letter states there was “no facility” at the station to store Flint in the freezer and it made “unsuccessful inquiries” to contact the owner.
He added that the police “very rarely” deal with incidents like this and “officers have done their best with the facilities and equipment they have”.
They apologized for any distress caused but said the dog was treated with “the utmost respect”.
Antony said: 'I'm really disappointed in the police. It doesn't feel right. You don't do that, desecrating a grave. There is so much more they could do.
'I kept James away from this because we would be more upset than he already is. I would like an apology from them in memory of Flint.
Dyfed-Powys Police have been contacted for comment.
