OWNER'S 'MOMENTARY LAPSE' LASTED SO LONG SPANIEL HAD TO BE PUT TO SLEEP
Horrific pictures show the appalling state RSPCA officers found an elderly springer spaniel who had been cruelly neglected by her owner.Inspector Hannah Williams said in a statement that she attended the defendant’s home and found Pip in a kennel.
“I was concerned for her welfare," she said.
"Pip’s face was swollen, sore looking and had fur loss.
She had a few cuts as well.” She arranged for South Yorkshire Police to attend while Pip was recovered and taken away for medical examination and treatment.
Vets said she was suffering from severe skin disease in areas including her face and muzzle, back, neck and belly.
She also had ear infections, and painful eye conditions.
In mitigation, the court heard Buckley had suffered significantly from his wife's death and that dogs were a big part of his life.
He tried to treat Pip with medical shampoo and took her to the vets - though there had been a “significant time gap”.
He had not set out to harm her and posed no further risk to animals.
After the case, Inspector Williams said: “As the court could see, this neglect was not something that has happened overnight.
“Unfortunately we are seeing a rise in incidents where owners are not getting preventative care or taking animals to the vets when the first symptoms show - resulting in the animal deteriorating to this extreme.
“Pet-owners should seek veterinary advice as soon as symptoms appear.
Waiting to act can result in that animal suffering and expensive vet bills.”
