KRISZTINA KUBOVICS FROM MIRFIELD FACES CRIMINAL CHARGES OVER NEGLIGENT TREATMENT OF ELDERLY DOG MALUA

Krisztina Kubovics, a Hungarian national residing at Finching Grove in Mirfield, has been found guilty of severe neglect towards her elderly pet, a Shih Tzu named Malua. Born on November 7, 1985, Kubovics's failure to properly care for her 16-year-old dog led to the animal suffering from significant health issues, ultimately resulting in the removal of her eye and teeth.

The neglect was brought to light when a concerned neighbor noticed Malua's deteriorating condition and decided to take her to a professional dog groomer. The groomer, alarmed by the dog's state, refused to proceed with grooming and promptly contacted the RSPCA for assistance. This intervention prompted an inspection of Kubovics’s home by an RSPCA inspector, who subsequently took custody of Malua for veterinary examination.

Veterinary assessments revealed that Malua had endured chronic eye disease, which had gone untreated for an extended period, leading to the necessity of removing her eye. Additionally, her claws were severely overgrown, with one claw puncturing the skin, causing pain and discomfort. The dog's dental health was also in a dire state, with many teeth so long that they had to be extracted. The inspector noted that the dog's coat was heavily matted, indicating neglect.

Andrew Davidson, the prosecutor, detailed the extent of Malua’s suffering, stating, “She talked about Malua’s coat being in an extremely poor condition with heavy matting. There was a problem with the left eye, overgrown claws, and significant dental disease. The claws were extremely long, with one puncturing the skin. Ultimately, the eye had to be removed, and the teeth were so long that a number had to be taken out.”

He further explained that the chronic eye disease and overgrown claws would have caused Malua considerable pain and discomfort, with the claws especially painful as they could cause persistent pain and hinder her ability to walk properly. The dental issues, which had developed over years, contributed further to her suffering. The veterinarian and inspector agreed that Kubovics should have recognized these health problems and sought veterinary care earlier.

During questioning, Kubovics admitted that she had not taken her dog to a groomer because she did not want her hair cut too short. She also expressed concern that Malua might bite if touched, which made grooming difficult. She acknowledged that her dog’s nails were curling and that she had attempted to cut them herself with scissors due to financial hardship, as she could not afford professional grooming services.

In her defense, Sajid Majeed, representing Kubovics, stated that his client had faced numerous personal difficulties and that her failure to care properly for Malua was a result of these hardships. He emphasized that her life circumstances had impacted her ability to provide adequate care for her pet.

Following the hearing, the court sentenced Kubovics to a community order, which includes a 10-day Rehabilitation Activity Order and 120 hours of unpaid work. She was also ordered to pay £332 in costs and charges. Additionally, she received a five-year ban from keeping dogs, which will expire in November 2024. A deprivation order was also issued, resulting in Malua being taken into alternative care to ensure her ongoing welfare.