DOG HURT WHILE ‘MISSING’
WOMAN CLAIMS PET’S STATE DUE TO IT STRAYING
A woman whose dog was found in a shocking state of neglect claimed it had gone missing for several weeks only to return to her in that condition – the day before a visit from the RSPCA.
Sarah Lauderdale’s sixyear-old Staffordshire bull terrier Levi was so emaciated when an RSPCA inspector arrived on January 5, that its ribs, hips and sides were prominent, Sunderland magistrates heard.
The animal had substantialhair loss, flaky skin, visible live flea sand over grown nails.
Yvonne Jackman, prosecuting on behalf of the RSPCA, said when the inspector visited Lauderdale’s home, in Theme Road, Thorney Close, Sunderland, Levi was in the kitchen, surrounded by dirt, and without access to food or water.
Mrs Jackman said: “When the defendant is interviewed, she said it had only returned the day before the RSPCA had knocked on the door.
“The vet doesn’t accept that for a number of reasons. We can’t prove the period, that’s why she is charged with one day of suffering.”
Mrs Jackman added that the vet recorded the lowest possible body condition score of one. When given food, the dog ate readily, which Mrs Jackman said indicates that its low body weight was not down to difficulty eating.
Lauderdale had indicated guilty pleas by letter, to causing unnecessary suffering and failing to ensure the welfare of an animal, both on January 4 and 5. However, she failed to turn up in court on a previous occasion and the case was proved in her absence. She attended court for the sentencing hearing.
Angus Westgarth, defending, said: “She accepts that on January 4, the dog appeared, having strayed and been missing.”
He reminded magistrates they could only sentence her on the basis that she had committed the offences over a 24-hour period.
The bench fined her £100 with £100 costs and £20 surcharge. She was banned from keeping dogs for five years.
“She couldn’t find the dog for four or five weeks” ANGUS WESTGARTH