WEYMOUTH - MAN FINED AFTER RSPCA RESCUED STARVING DOG
A man from Weymouth who neglected his starving dog has been fined and banned from owning animals.James David Hey, 36 pleaded guilty to an animal welfare offence, following an investigation and prosecution by the RSPCA.
RSPCA Inspector Patrick Bailey, who investigated for the animal welfare charity, visited Hey’s home in Wyke Road after being contacted by police about a dog named Harper.
There were concerns for the poor body condition, an apparent skin condition, and unsuitable living conditions.
Mr Bailey said: “I could instantly see she looked very underweight with her ribs being clearly visible, her stomach was tucked in and her spine and hips were starting to be prominent.
I felt her body looked particularly underweight in comparison to the size of head, which was quite big.
She was friendly but a little timid, holding herself low to the ground, with some lip-licking and holding her ears back.
There was an obvious strip of fur loss from the middle of her back, along to the base of tail.
She had scurfy skin and a large amount of live fleas could be clearly seen running and jumping around her body.
The skin on her back legs and around her genitals was thickened and a dark greyish, almost black colour, with fur loss.
Although I did not enter the room she had been found in, it was immediately obvious that the living conditions of the bedsit style-room were unhygienic and unsuitable due to the extremely strong smell of ammonia that was apparent as soon as the door was opened.
The vet confirmed she was suffering unnecessarily due to her body weight and skin condition and confirmed that her needs for a suitable diet and appropriate treatment for her flea infestation had not been met.
Harper - who had fleas visible covering her fur - was given flea and worm treatment and gentle refeeding.
She was looked after by the team at RSPCA Brent Knoll Animal Centre in Somerset throughout her recovery and quickly gained weight and her skin improved.
She’s recently undergone cruciate surgery.
Once she has recovered, she’ll be ready for rehoming.
Hey was fined £160 and ordered to pay £400 costs when he was sentenced at Weymouth Magistrates Court on September 30.
In mitigation it was said Hey, who is currently in HMP Winchester for unrelated matters, was remorseful and was struggling with depression.
Inspector Patrick Bailey added: “Our plea to all animal owners is to make sure they always receive care and treatment they need when they need it.
Animals are completely reliant on their owners to ensure their needs are met and they are kept safe and healthy.
Owning an animal is a privilege - and ensuring appropriate care, including a suitable diet, is a key part of the responsibility we have towards them.”
