Ravensthorpe man banned for animal cruelty after dog’s untreated leg

RAVENSTHORPE MAN BANNED FOR ANIMAL CRUELTY AFTER DOG’S UNTREATED LEG

A RAVENSTHORPE man has pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a 14-week-old female bull terrier-cross called Roxy by failing to provide veterinary care for a broken leg.

Robert Oates, 53, of Garden Terrace, appeared at Dewsbury Magistrates’ Court.

And he was banned from keeping all animals for 10 years, given a two-year conditional discharge and ordered to pay £500 costs.

The dog, now 11 months old, was also confiscated.

RSPCA Inspector Mandi Barr said: “I’m very pleased with the magistrates’ ruling.

“We always hope for a ban as it goes some way to preventing future animals from suffering, and the confiscation of Roxy means we’ll now be able to start to find a loving new owner for her.” The court heard Roxy was taken to a local vet on Saturday, March 31, 2007.

She had been found at the bottom of the stairs, crying in pain, the previous night.

Veterinary evidence suggested she had endured “one of the most uncomfortable and painful limb fractures” for at least 15 hours before receiving treatment.

In mitigation the court was told Oates had tried to get a vet out to her, but couldn’t afford the call-out fee.

Insp Barr said: “Owning an animal can cost a lot of money, and that has to be taken into consideration right at the beginning.

“Roxy suffered for a prolonged period of time because of Mr Oates’ lack of action, and that is not acceptable.” Roxy has now made a full recovery and is available for re-homing from Halifax Animal Centre.