A dog owner has claimed a Pets at Home store threatened to keep his pet after he turned up late to collect it from a grooming session.

Derek Greenway told the Telegraph & Argus newspaper that Pets at Home, in Idle, West Yorkshire, refused to give him his six-year-old Shih Tzu, called Marley, back when he went to collect him.

According to the newspaper, he accused the manager of threatening to hold onto his dog because he was nearly two hours late. He said he was asked to pay a £15 late fee under the company’s terms and conditions – which he said he had not been aware of.

Mr Greenway said he had misheard when to collect his pet, and that he was 50 minutes – not two hours late – and refused to pay up.

“They were holding my dog to ransom,” the 56-year-old told the Telegraph & Argus.

A Pets at Home spokesperson said they were willing to speak with Mr Greenway about the dispute.

They added: “It is disappointing that Mr Greenway feels upset.

“Our policy and customer contract clearly state there is a charge for the late collection of dogs from our Groom Room.

“Given how very late the pickup was, we feel it was fair to ask that the charge was paid and rest assured, Marley did return home with Mr Greenway.”

You can read the full Telegraph & Argus story by clicking here