A heartbroken family claims they have been told to sell their dog and move into a hotel because their home is rat infested.
Sophie Ponting, 30, from Swindon, claims the local council has told her to rehome her cockapoo Luna - telling her they may not be able to find her new accommodation if she doesn't.
The mum-of-two has rented the terrace home in the Wiltshire town for eight years.
But now the house is on the market and come June the family will be left homeless.
Sophie says she has not missed paying her rent once in the entire time the family has lived her - adding she has been forced to spend her own money to fix "drastic" issues such as the current rat problem and mould.
But the retail worker is drawing a line at selling three-year-old pooch Luna.
The family - Sophie and her daughters Holly, seven, and Grace, 10 - gave the dog a home when she was just a nine-week-old puppy.
Speaking to The Sun, Sophie said: "I've been trying to find a new private rental, but they're just isn't anything suitable out there.
"I've been told that when we're evicted, we'll have to go to the council as an emergency case.
"They've said that it's most likely we are going to be housed in a hotel because they don't have any homes available."
The council couldn't tell the family how long they've been in the hotel, but they've said they won't be allowed to take their dog in.
The mum said she's "never been so disgusted" and lost her "rag" when the council said that to her.
Sophie said Luna is "family" and "not just a pet".
She explained the situation is causing distress to her children and has led her to need medication for anxiety.
Continuing to share the stress that the family has been through, Sophie claimed her daughter Holly, who had open heart surgery as a baby, was put in danger when the landlord told her to simply wipe down the walls and open windows to deal with the mould problem instead of fixing it.
The mum-of-two said she's tried using dehumidifiers, paint and vinegar to solve the mould problem, but she thinks it's being caused by missing cavity wall insulation.
Pest control experts have looked at the rat infestation, but Sophie has been told it's unlikely a new home would be found for her before her June eviction date, meaning the family will have to go into a hotel.
In a statement, Swindon Borough Council said: "We do not have a policy which prohibits pets and will always try to find accommodation to allow our tenants to take their pets with them.
"Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, this is not always possible as some emergency/temporary accommodation has a strict no pet policy.
"We appreciate this will be upsetting for the family, but we will work with them and support them to find a suitable home for both them and their dog."
