MAN WHO TOOK DEAD DOG TO THE VET BANNED FROM KEEPING ANIMALS
A man has received a decade-long ban on animal ownership after bringing his deceased dog to a veterinarian, who was surprised by her condition.Matthew Edward Perry, aged 39, brought his 13-year-old dalmatian to a veterinary clinic in August of the previous year for cremation.
However, upon examining the dog’s body, the veterinary staff expressed concerns regarding the dog’s appearance, noting that she looked severely emaciated.
In a written statement the vet said they were "very concerned" by the "poor condition” the dalmatian, who was called Pepper, had been in before she died with her ribs, spine, and hip bones "prominent".
The vet added she also showed signs of muscle mass loss and gave Pepper a body condition score of one out of nine (four and five out of nine being normal and lower being thin with above being overweight).
"In this body condition she will have broken down muscle mass and will have been weak and uncomfortable, affecting her ability to exhibit natural behaviour," said the vet.
“The dog also had a wound on her left maxilla (upper jawbone) which appeared to be a burst (and untreated) abscess.
"An abscess generally throbs and is tender to the touch due to the pressure of the pus buildup and would have been painful.” It was estimated Pepper would have “been suffering for a minimum of three weeks”.
The vet confirmed Pepper had not been seen by the practice since 2018.
Owner Perry, of Parc Gilbertson, Pontardawe, pleaded guilty to failing to ensure the needs of an animal were met, under the Animal Welfare Act, and was sentenced at Swansea Magistrates’ Court last week.
As well as being disqualified from keeping all animals for 10 years Perry was also handed a three-month prison sentence which was suspended for 12 months.
