CHEPSTOW MAN INVOLVED IN SEVERE ANIMAL CRUELTY CASE FACES COURT
A dog was left in such a poor condition that he had to be immediately euthanised after being discovered by an animal charity.A black and white collie dog was found with severe infection in December last year by a rescue officer for the RSPCA.
It comes as four people received a suspended prison sentence after they caused unnecessary suffering to the dog, named Spot.
Laurie Anthony Murdin, 32, Matthew Graham Murdin, 22, Nicola Ann Murdin, 58, and Robert James Murdin, 75, all of Bulwark Road, Bulwark, Chepstow, were sentenced at Newport Magistrates’ Court.
They previously pleaded guilty to one joint offence under the Animal Welfare Act in that they caused suffering by failing to investigate and address the cause of his poor bodily condition and weight loss, and by failing to provide veterinary treatment for large tumours invading the dog’s nasal and oral cavities — which had resulted in severe infection.
An RSPCA rescue officer stated that on December 3 she attended Bulwark Road and met Spot, who was outside.
She reported that she heard loud snorting noises as Spot approached the front door from the garden, which sounded like gargling.
The noise was prominent throughout her time at the property.
When Spot fully appeared, his face was misshaped due to lumps, his nose was pointing to the right instead of forward, his forehead was enlarged, and his left eye was squinted.
She observed that his limbs moved slowly, his head was lowered, and his hips were also lowered.
Spot was underweight, with fur loss along his bottom half showing his spine, and his waist was thin.
She could feel his spine and hips easily.
As Spot went inside, he stumbled into a wall and slightly lost balance but managed to stand again.
She expressed concern for his condition and said he needed urgent veterinary care.
She took photographs illustrating his poor condition, including a black growth in his mouth and throat, and he collapsed and was rushed to the vets, where due to the severity of his condition, he was immediately euthanised.
The vet examined him and found a bulging growth on the roof of his mouth and a black tumor at the back of his throat.
The veterinarian supported that this was a case of suffering under the Animal Welfare Act.
The court heard that there had been remorse from those involved.
All four defendants received an 18-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, a 10-year ban on all animals, and were ordered to pay £400 costs and a £154 victim surcharge each.
Additionally, Matthew Graham Murdin received a 10-day rehabilitation activity requirement.
