Shortly after Pumpkin was fostered and subsequently adopted by Tammie Fox in 2021, a GoFundMe campaign was established by Tammie Fox to raise money towards Pumpkin’s veterinary treatment, including a proposed MRI at a specialist veterinary practice in Surrey. The campaign attracted substantial public support, with thousands of pounds raised. Was Tammie Fox surprised by how a little disabled dog could garner so many donations? Was this the catalyst for things to come and what prompted her to allegedly make enquires about copyrighting a dog?
An article published by Lincolnshire Live in October 2021 covered Pumpkin’s circumstances and the fundraising for her veterinary treatment.
WHO ARRANGED THE SPECIALIST APPOINTMENT?
In an interview published by the American podcast Val Talks Pets on 14th February 2025, CEO Tammie Fox gave the following account: “I set up a social media platform to try and get her story shared and try and get some help. Her story went viral. One of the top veterinary surgeons here in England reached out and agreed to take her on and to see her. He was amazing, he carried out the MRI scan and did lots of tests on Pumpkin. I’m not allowed to say his name, if I was to say he is one of the top veterinary surgeons in the UK, it’s not hard to work out.”
On 16th October 2021, Tammie Fox stated on her personal Facebook page: “I have an appointment with @ProfNoelFitz”.
However, in a Facebook post published on 14 October 2021 on the Pumpkin The Wheelie Westie Warrior page, Tammie Fox had stated: “The vets have referred her to a specialist. She needs an MRI scan, but it’s not cheap.”
These accounts raise a question about how the specialist appointment was originally arranged. Was Pumpkin referred by her existing veterinary practice, as the October 2021 post suggests? Did Professor Noel Fitzpatrick subsequently contact Tammie Fox after Pumpkin’s story received publicity? Or did both things happen at different stages? There may be a straightforward explanation that reconciles these accounts, and we would welcome clarification.
CEO Tammie Fox gave somewhat of an explanation in an October 2026 Facebook Live, but we have yet to receive concrete evidence of what actually occurred.
WHAT DID THE VETERINARY INVESTIGATIONS ESTABLISH?
During the February 2025 Val Talks Pets interview CEO Tammie Fox also states: “The veterinary surgeon had to sit us down when he was explaining what had happened and he said that it was the worst case that he’d ever seen and he wasn’t sure how she’d survive, she was a little miracle.”
Following the MRI and conversations supposedly with Professor Noel Fitzpatrick, accounts given by Tammie Fox and subsequently reported in the media, claim that Pumpkin’s injuries were attributed to extreme trauma, with the suggestion that the breeder had stamped on her with considerable force from above – including in Tammie Fox’s ‘Justice for Pumpkin Puppy’ petition.
CEO Tammie Fox further states in the Val Talks Pets Interview: “Both of her legs are now deformed, but we don’t know if she was born with a deformity in her legs or if because of the spinal trauma and the damage it left her legs deformed.”
However, in a separate interview published by Westies & Besties Magazine Tammie Fox states: “The scan also revealed that both of her rear legs had also been broken and left without veterinary treatment. Both legs now have grown deformed; in fact they are the opposite way round.”
We therefore have two differing accounts: one in which Tammie states that the cause of Pumpkin’s hind-leg deformities was unknown, and another in which she states that scans confirmed both rear legs had previously been broken and left without veterinary treatment.
WHY ARE WE SEEKING CLARIFICATION?
Pumpkin’s harrowing story has formed a central part of the history and public identity of Pumpkin & Friends Charity. It has also played a significant role in generating public interest, sympathy, donations and support for Pumpkin and her family.
For that reason, we believe it is particularly important that the accounts of Pumpkin’s injuries, her veterinary treatment and the circumstances surrounding her condition are accurate and supported by evidence.
We spoke with Breeds in Need and they provided us with the following statement:
As the founder of Breeds in Need Dog Rescue, I can confirm that Pumpkin was handed over to our rescue with a known congenital birth defect. This was fully disclosed and clearly explained to her adopter before the adoption proceeded.
Pumpkin’s condition is not the result of an injury, abuse, or any act of malice. It is a condition she was born with, and complete transparency was maintained throughout the adoption process to ensure her adopter understood her needs before making the decision to adopt and ongoing support was given.
You can read more about Breeds in Need here.
DID SIX VETS RECOMMEND EUTHANASIA FOR PUMPKIN?
Tammie Fox has repeatedly stated that six vets recommended euthanasia for Pumpkin.
We would welcome clarification about these reported recommendations. Were the six vets general veterinary practitioners, or did any have specialist qualifications in neurology or orthopaedics? Did all six independently examine Pumpkin and recommend euthanasia, or were their opinions based on the findings of other veterinary professionals?
We would also welcome clarification about the circumstances in which these recommendations were reportedly made and whether they are supported by the relevant veterinary records.
If you work or have previously worked at a veterinary practice that examined or treated Pumpkin, and you have relevant first-hand information that you are lawfully able to share, please contact us privately at contact@pumpkinandfriendsonlyfacts.com.
ONE FINAL OBSERVATION
In an article published by the Northumberland Gazette, the founder of a Westie walking event is quoted as saying:
“Pumpkin was undoubtedly the star turn. She was born with a club foot and her breeder threw her in a bin.”