SWANSEA COUPLE FINED AND SENTENCED FOR ANIMAL WELFARE FAILURES
When the dog Bear was brought into RSPCA care, he had a severely matted coat and multiple health issues.Animal rescue officer Ellie West first noticed that Bear, a one-year-old Tibetan Mastiff, was in poor condition on December 14 last year.
She described feeling a large, firm mat on his head that limited head movement.
Bear also had a strong wet dog smell and appeared dirty, with large red fleshy masses in his eye areas that resembled cherry eye, and a foul smell of cheese and fish coming from under his eyes.
The dog had untreated ailments, including cherry eye and hip dysplasia, and his owners had failed to investigate or address these signs of ill health.
She noted, “He smelt of a strong wet dog smell and appeared dirty.
He lifted his head to look up to me and I was totally shocked to then see both of his eye areas with large areas of red fleshy masses that covered where his eyeballs would be.
This appeared to be what I know as cherry eye from previous dealings with dogs with this type of condition but I had never seen a dog's eyes look so full of masses.
I was very shocked and concerned and taken aback at the sight I was looking at.
There was a distinctive smell like a mixture of cheese and fish that was coming from his eye area and areas underneath his eyes that appeared wet.” Bear was taken to a vet, medicated, and carefully de-matted with clippers.
He was then officially signed over to the RSPCA and placed into another charity’s care, but unfortunately, he was later found to have severe hip dysplasia and was euthanized.
Following a court hearing at Swansea Magistrates' Court, Aaron Francis, 27, and Charlie Sabrina Nakita Smith, 25, both of Nicander Parade, Mayhill, Swansea, pleaded guilty to an offence under the Animal Welfare Act.
The court heard that between June 13 and December 15 last year, they failed to take reasonable steps to meet Bear’s needs or to prevent pain, suffering, injury, or disease, including untreated conditions such as his severely matted coat, cherry eye, and hip dysplasia.
They were sentenced to 12 weeks in custody, suspended for 12 months, and ordered to complete 15 days of rehabilitation activities.
Additionally, they received a five-year ban on owning animals, and were ordered to each pay £400 plus a £154 victim surcharge.
The RSPCA also emphasized the importance of seeking help when experiencing difficulties, stating, “There is help out there and we urge you to seek this before it's too late.”
