JANICE CLOW OF GATESHEAD SENTENCED FOR ANIMAL WELFARE OFFENSE INVOLVING ELDERLY DOG

Janice Clow, born on August 30, 1967, of Mersey Road, Gateshead NE8 3SR, was convicted in 2019 for neglecting her elderly German Shepherd, Rocky. The dog was suffering from untreated arthritis, severe skin issues, and painful eye conditions, and was infested with fleas. Rocky, an 11-year-old dog, was in such poor condition that he had to be euthanized after being examined by veterinary professionals.

On August 21, 2019, RSPCA inspector Rachael Hurst responded to a report about a German Shepherd with serious skin problems at Clow’s residence. Inspector Hurst described Rocky’s condition: “Rocky was 11 and was in a really bad way. He was shaking and itching and stood in a hunched posture. He’d lost almost all of the fur across his body and his skin was thickened and sore.”

Rocky was taken to a veterinarian, who diagnosed him with a chronic skin disease that had been ongoing for at least three to six months, possibly years. The vet also identified fleas, open wounds, severe ear infections, an ulcerated bleeding mass on one paw, and corneal ulcers in one eye. Rocky was experiencing significant discomfort, particularly in his back legs, due to untreated arthritis that had likely persisted for six months to a year.

“The vet said the extent of his skin condition and severity of his arthritis, which had gone untreated for months, possibly years, had caused ‘irreversible damage’ and sadly Rocky had to be put to sleep,” added Inspector Hurst.

During court proceedings, Clow expressed remorse, stating she had tried her best to help Rocky and had sought advice online, but acknowledged it was not enough.

The court sentenced Clow to 16 weeks in custody, suspended for 12 months, along with 25 days of rehabilitation activities, 150 hours of unpaid work, and ordered her to pay £515 in costs and charges. Additionally, she was disqualified from owning all animals for 10 years, a ban set to expire in December 2029.