STOCKPORT WOMAN SHANNON EDWARDS JAILED FOR ALLOWING HER DOG TO RUN INTO TRAFFIC AND SUFFER INJURIES
Single mother-of-two Shannon Edwards let the young Cockapoo, called Luna, run away on multiple occasions during which the pup lost an eye and suffered a dislocated elbow and bone fractures.She was also reported to have been involved in several accidents.
The RSPCA was contacted by a vet in Manchester in October 2024 after Luna had been taken into the practice the day before.
In her written statement to the court an RSPCA Inspector said: “I was shown a three-year-old black Cockapoo named Luna.
She was curled up into a ball shape at the back of her kennel panting and shaking, and the staff told me that she was absolutely terrified.
“She had reportedly been missing for a few days and when she was found she wasn’t weight bearing on her front right leg.
The staff raised concerns with the RSPCA due to the amount of times the owner had reported Luna missing and subsequently returned with injuries.” Luna was transferred to the RSPCA’s Greater Manchester Animal Hospital, where she was assessed by a vet before being seized by police on welfare grounds.
She was subsequently passed into the care of the RSPCA’s Southport, Ormskirk & District Branch where she was nursed back to health and rehomed.
Veterinary records showed Luna had gone missing six times between June 2022 and October 2024, resulting in her sustaining injuries from suspected road traffic accidents on at least four occasions.
A second vet who gave written evidence in the case, said: “The details of how Luna was able to run off are not given but may have been due to the dog repeatedly escaping from the home, garden, yard or a kennel enclosure, or possibly when out on walks, either when let off the lead to exercise, or by being walked without a lead.
“In any event Luna’s owner was aware that the dog had a propensity to do this and the dog was able to do so repeatedly.
“In my opinion the needs of Luna have not been met to the extent required by good practice due to the person responsible for the welfare of this animal failing to take reasonable steps to prevent this dog from running off, thereby failing to protect her from repetitive injury, pain and suffering.” “Several alarm bells had rung for our team throughout the case.
Luna’s owner, Shannon Edwards, refused our vet’s recommended treatment for her when she was found to have a broken canine tooth (an old injury), a fractured pelvis (again an old injury) and was severely matted and emaciated, both suspected by our vet to be a result of long term neglect.
“It absolutely broke our hearts to be told by the authorities that we had to hand her back.
“We began an RSPCA welfare report immediately and with the help of Greater Manchester Police and the RSPCA Luna was eventually seized earlier this year following further incidents.
“A case that nearly broke us, has finally had a happy ending and has made us stronger.
Stay safe Luna.”
