PAISLEY FARTHING AND JORDAN ALLEN FROM BRUTON SENTENCED FOR CRUELTY TO DOG MISSY

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Bruton, Somerset, two individuals, Paisley Farthing and Jordan Allen, have been held accountable for their neglect and mistreatment of a dog named Missy. The incident came to light after the RSPCA intervened, revealing the severe injuries inflicted upon the animal and the subsequent failure of her owners to seek proper veterinary care.

Paisley Ann Farthing, born on November 4, 1992, and a mother of four, residing on Park Road in Bruton (postcode BA10 0BZ), along with Jordan Allen, born on January 2, 2000, who has no fixed address but maintains connections to Frome and Shepton Mallett, pleaded guilty to an animal welfare offence concerning Missy, a bull-breed dog. The case was prosecuted by the RSPCA after Missy was discovered with a large, untreated burn caused by hot water.

According to Jordan Allen, the injuries were accidental, claiming that Missy was scalded when she pulled over a cup of hot water. However, veterinary experts contradicted this account, stating that the nature of Missy’s injuries did not align with Allen’s explanation. When examined nine days after the incident, Missy’s wounds were found to be severe, with pus-filled wounds covering her back, shoulders, and neck, alongside fur loss and dry scabbing. The delay in seeking veterinary treatment had allowed her injuries to become well-established, with signs of ongoing infection and pain.

The veterinary report detailed the progression of scald injuries, emphasizing that such wounds are not immediately apparent but worsen over several days. It explained that the burns caused significant skin damage, leading to inflammation, moist exudate, and fur loss. The report further noted that the pain experienced by the animal would have been immediate and persistent, with behavioral signs such as scratching, rubbing, and chewing at the affected areas.

Veterinarians also pointed out inconsistencies in Allen’s account, stating that the pattern of the scalds did not match the scenario of Missy knocking over a mug of boiling water during the making of tea. The report concluded that both Farthing and Allen failed to meet the standards of good animal welfare by neglecting to seek urgent veterinary care after discovering Missy’s injuries. This neglect prolonged her suffering and demonstrated a clear failure to protect her from pain and further harm.

In sentencing, Jordan Allen received a 16-week custodial sentence, suspended for 12 months. Additionally, he was given a community order requiring 300 hours of unpaid work, 15 days of rehabilitation, a £114 victim surcharge, and £500 in court costs. He is also subject to a ten-year ban on owning any animals, which will expire in December 2034. Paisley Farthing was handed a 12-month community order with 20 days of rehabilitation, a £250 fine, and a £114 victim surcharge. She is disqualified from keeping dogs for five years, a ban set to expire in December 2029.

This case highlights the importance of animal welfare and the consequences of neglect, serving as a stark reminder to pet owners about their responsibilities and the need for prompt veterinary intervention in cases of injury or illness.