Investigating officer:
RSPCA Inspector Jacqui Paradis
Defendant:
Female 45, unemployed
Outcome:
Animal Welfare Act 2006 s20
Represented by:
McKeags Solicitors
Investigating officer:
RSPCA Inspector Kerry Gabriel
Defendants:
Male 65, retired;
male 35, manager
Offences:
Animal Welfare Act 2006 s9
Pleas:
Guilty
Total convictions:
Two
Sentence:
Both disqualified from keeping
dogs for five years. Older male
received 100 hours' unpaid
work; £1,042 costs. Younger
male received 180 hours' unpaid
work; £2,000 costs.
Prosecuted by:
Barlow Robbins Solicitors
TYNE & WEAR
PERSONS
CONVICTED 40
TOTAL
CONVICTIONS 76
SURREY
PERSONS
CONVICTED 7
TOTAL
CONVICTIONS 16 Tyne & WearThe RSPCA successfully secured a court order to remove
two guinea pigs from a woman whose daughter had
shown extraordinary cruelty towards two puppies.
A witness filmed the seven-yearold
child repeatedly dropping
two five-month-old cross-breed
puppies down concrete stairs.
At one point, the child dangled
one of the puppies by her tail
before dropping her. She also
stood on the other, putting her
full weight on his small body,
preventing him from escaping.
The dogs had been signed over
to the RSPCA at an earlier stage,
however, the mother refused to
sign over the two guinea pigs that
remained at the property. The
court granted this order, which
meant that the guinea pigs could
be removed and rehomed thereby
ensuring their future welfare.
RSPCA Inspector Jacqui Paradis
took time to explain to the young
girl, who had behavioural issues,
about the importance of showing
compassion to animals and
handling them gently. However,
as she left, she heard the child's
mother shouting at her daughter.
It was clear to Inspector Paradis
that although the child had
behaved cruelly, her mother's
failure to supervise her with the
animals and to act as a positive
role model was largely to blame.
SurreyLouis, a tan male shar pei, was found with chronic,
severe dermatitis affecting his entire body, causing
him terrible discomfort.
RSPCA Inspector Kerry Gabriel
took Louis to a vet, whose
opinion was that Louis' skin
condition was so severe that it
had been causing him long-term,
significant discomfort. His skin
was dark and thickened from
inflammation; he showed distress,
and his constant scratching
caused his sores to bleed. Louis'
skin had deteriorated so far the
vet concluded it could not be
improved with treatment so,
sadly, it was decided he should be
euthanased as soon as possible on
welfare grounds.
When interviewed, both men
admitted joint responsibility for
Louis. The younger male was fully
aware of Louis' skin condition,
saying it had started five years
ago, and accepted the failure in
his duty of care. The older man
did not seem to acknowledge
how serious Louis' skin was.
When Inspector Gabriel showed
him photographs he said he
thought it was "alright".
33
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