MAN ALLOWED DOG TO SUFFER UNNECESSARILY
A NORTH Dorset lorry driver has been convicted of causing cruelty to a dog which later had to have a leg amputated.Magistrates sitting at Weymouth heard Michael Taylor, of West Bourton, near Gillingham did not seek veterinary treatment quickly enough after his pet Chinese Crested Powder Puff dog called Chloe was injured.
The circumstances as to how the animal came to be injured were disputed in court with prosecution witnesses, who had been staying at the house, alleging Taylor had kicked the animal late one evening causing it to "scream horrifically".
However Taylor, who had denied cruelty, claimed he had found the animal limping and after examining it went to bed, leaving a note for his partner to check the animal when she came in about 3am.
"He claimed he did not seek a vet that night because the animal, although it screamed at first, then seemed okay and he was looking after three young children asleep upstairs.
The animal was only seen by a vet at 11am next day when it was found to have a leg broken in two places.
The dog was eventually re-homed and later had to have its front leg amputated after the break failed to heal.
Magistrates convicted Taylor of cruelty claiming he had allowed the dog to suffer unnecessarily through the delay in seeking treatment.
Taylor was given a two-year conditional discharge and ordered to pay court costs of £350.
However he was not banned from keeping animals as magistrates said there was no suggestion that his actions were intentional.
After the case Lucy Clark, of the RSPCA which brought the case, said: "We are disappointed he wasn't banned.
There are vets available 24 hours a day so we would have expected him to act sooner.
The dog went to Ashley Heath animal centre and was later re-homed.
It is now enjoying life in Salisbury."
