Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A care worker at an old people's home has been sacked for feeding a patient a dog biscuit, it emerged today.
The incident happened at the Bupa-run Kirknowe home in Wishaw, North Lanarkshire in September last year.
The male patient, who is in his 80s and has dementia, was given the biscuit by a worker during a therapy session involving a dog, the healthcare organisation said.
Bupa care services director Kenny Valentine said: "This was a very unfortunate but isolated incident that took place last year during a therapy session involving a dog. We immediately launched an investigation and the member of staff was dismissed.
"We apologised to residents and their relatives at the time."
An insider at the home told the Daily Record newspaper: "One of the residents kept dog biscuits for anyone visiting with a dog, so she had a few with her that she was wanting to give the visiting dogs as a treat.
"The member of staff in question then gave a resident a biscuit which quite a few staff didn't find amusing.
"She said to the resident: Here's a dog biscuit.
"But he took it and ate it. The man wouldn't have known what he was eating as his dementia is very severe. It's a disgusting thing to do."
Most dog biscuits are hard and dry with manufacturers claiming the texture helps clean dogs' teeth. They are not designed for human consumption.
PA
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments