Owner would not pay for vet medication
AMAN allowed his pet dog and her three puppies to suffer because he thought the £8.16 cost of treating their illnesses ‘was too expensive’, a court heard.
Peter Green, 32, didn’t pick up the antibiotics which were waiting for him at a local vets to treat his Staffordshire Bull Terrier’s mange.
It meant his dog Stella lost fur and developed painful sores around her body, the court was told.
Green also failed to treat Stella’s puppies who developed the condition within hours of being born, magistrates heard.
While four puppies were sold, the remaining three were allowed to develop the painful condition.
Instead of treating his animals with the prescribed medication Green attempted to use remedies intended for humans, a sentencing hearing at Macclesfield Magistrate’s Court heard on Wednesday (August 6).
Green, of Coronation Street, Macclesfield, was disqualified from keeping any animals for three years and Stella and the three puppies were taken away from him.
He had been found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal after a trial in his absence at a previous hearing at the court.
Louise Aldridge, prosecuting, said: “During a visit by the RSPCA officer in November she found that Stella had substantial fur loss and sores around her body.
“She was told by Green that Stella had mange and that medication had been subscribed by a local vet.”
Ms Aldridge added: “The officer was asked to attend Green’s address in December.
“During the visit Green seemed agitated, Stella had a large, oozing scab on back of her head and had lost a lot of fur on her head and face. The officer again returned on January 3 and Green was abusive towards her, he would not let her into the property and was shouting and swearing at her.
“He told her he had an appointment at the vets booked in for January 6.”
Ms Morris called the vets to check on his story but was told that Green did not have an appointment booked.
Mrs Aldridge added: “Morris returned to Green’s address on January 8 with police assistance. Stella was found to have substantial fur loss and red scratches and marks on her flanks.
“After being taken into care a vet confirmed Stella would have suffered for about a month, and the puppies would have suffered for a week.
“In a police interview Green said he didn’t pick up the antibiotics as they were too expensive. He admitted he should have gone to the vets.”
Green told the court that the he had researched the human medication he had given the animals on the internet and read that they were suitable for dogs. He was ordered to carry out 200 hours unpaid work and pay £150 costs.