CAMROSE MAN BANNED FROM KEEPING ANIMALS AFTER STARVING DOGS
A MAN who starved his dogs for months has been banned from keeping animals for seven years following an RSPCA investigation.Shaun Robert Ferguson, 44, of Camrose, was found guilty in his absence of two animal welfare offences from when he was living in Plymouth.
Llanelli Magistrates Court heard how Ferguson’s two rottweilers, Prince and Trixie, were seized by police after concerns were raised about their treatment.
“Both the dogs were extremely thin and this alone would give cause for concern about their suffering,” the vet who examined the dogs said in their report.
Prince and Trixie were found severely underweight.
(Image: RSPCA) “Both had mild to severe ligament or tendon laxities showing that their malnourishment or starvation would have been going on for at least three to four months.
“Prince was most affected with a body conditioning score of just one, the lowest in the range.
His weight was 27.7kg.
Trixie also had a body conditioning score of just one and weighed 26kg.
“Prince was much taller and as an entire male should have been much heavier than Trixie.
Trixie had been starved so much that her ribs were showing.
(Image: RSPCA) “After having been fed small amounts regularly and staying in our care for 12 hours Trixie had not passed any faeces.
This suggests she had not had any food for a long period before she was bought in.
“Prince passed faeces that had large amounts of plastic and foreign substances in suggesting he was eating anything he could find in his environment.” Ferguson was found guilty of two offences of failing to take steps to ensure the needs of the two rottweilers were met between December 4, 2023, and March 1 last year.
In mitigation the defendant, formerly of Clarence Place in Plymouth, said his dogs were his babies and he regretted being taken away from him.
Ferguson was sentenced to a two year community order, as part of which he must complete 25 rehabilitation activity requirement days.
He must also pay £1,000 in costs, a £300 fine and a £114 surcharge.
The defendant is unable to appeal his seven-year disqualification from keeping animals for the next five years.
Trixie and Prince were signed over into the care of the RSPCA for rehoming.
RSPCA Inspector Miranda Albinson said: “There is never an excuse to neglect or mistreat animals.
Owners have a duty and responsibility to ensure the needs of their animals are met, this includes making sure they have a suitable diet and appropriate treatment and care.”
