Court of Protection Lawyers Help Secure New Residence For Man And His Dog

A man from Manchester who has spent the last two years in a care home separated from his dog has been reunited with his beloved companion.

Lawrence Knight, 73, has been assessed as lacking capacity to make decisions in respect of his residence and care. Lawrence has a diagnosis of dementia, which impacts upon his ability to understand, use and weigh, and retain information. He was admitted to a care home in Manchester in 2019.  Unfortunately, dogs weren’t allowed in the home and Lawrence’s golden labrador, Millie, had to be put into a shelter, where she had a limited amount of daily exercise

The following year, the Public Law and Human Rights team at Irwin Mitchell was instructed to represent Lawrence, who objected to living at the care home.

After a number of court hearings within the Court of Protection, the legal experts successfully secured a different placement for Lawrence in a scenic setting beside a lake.  This care home also allowed Millie to live with him again, and the pair were finally reunited in April this year.

The legal team has also helped obtain a wheelchair for Lawrence so he can go outside and have walks with Millie, after being mostly bed bound in his former care home.

Expert Opinion

“When Lawrence was admitted to the care home two years ago, he was extremely upset that he couldn’t bring Millie with him. After his wife passed away, Lawrence didn’t have many of family or friends to visit him and so Millie was understandably of great importance to him.

Due to the pandemic, contact between Lawrence and Millie was sadly stopped, but now she and Lawrence are living right next to a lake where she can run about as much as she wants. And with his new wheelchair, Lawrence can also enjoy being outdoors.

We are absolutely delighted to have been able to reunite them in such a lovely new setting. It was heart-warming to bring them back together and nice to have some positive news during such difficult times for all.”
Elizabeth Ridley - Associate Solicitor

The manager of Lakeside Nursing Home, Gail Howard, added: “Millie has become part of the Lakeside family since coming here, and brings happiness to all the residents in the home.”