‘Incompetent’ woman left dog home alone for 72 hours

hours over September 18.

At that stage the RSPCA seized the pet, who was examined by a vet.

While Gizmo did not physically suffer, his welfare and needs were not met.

Mr Davidson said: “Dogs prefer to have company of other animals or people.

“They prefer to be kept in a clean area and with a toilet separate to their living area and that wasn’t afforded to Gizmo.

“If a dog is left unattended and something goes wrong in terms of health issues there’s nobody there to assist.

“If there were choking hazards, such as food debris around the kitchen, there could have been very serious consequences.

“For significant periods of time he (Gizmo) would have led a fairly miserable existence.”

Magistrates were told that Rae was spending a lot of time at her ex-partner’s home with three of her children who reside there but this had a “negative impact” on her pet.

They heard that while Gizmo has not yet been signed over to the RSPCA, Rae would not oppose the court making a deprivation order concerning him.

Rachael Sharpe, mitigating, explained that her client has three young children living at her expartner’s address and she had been spending the majority of her time there with them.

She said that Rae had gone back home when she could, but on one occasion left Gizmo alone due to car trouble.

Another time she was away due to a leak at her house and when Gizmo was left between September 15 and 18 she believed that her ex-partner had been there to look after him, magistrates were told.

Mrs Sharpe added: “She’s had Gizmo from being a puppy but circumstances being the way they have been, she’s just not been able to do what she should have been doing to look after him.

“It’s well intentioned incompetent care.”

Magistrates adjourned the case as Rae needs a full probation report prior to being sentenced.