Pontefract man banned from keeping all animals after his diabetic dog was found in skeletal state
A Pontefract man has been banned from keeping all animals indefinitely after his elderly dog was found in an emaciated state after she had received no veterinary treatment for her diabetes.
Martin Roberts, aged 45, of Mill Street, South Kirkby, admitted one offence under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 when he appeared before Leeds Magistrates Court.
The court heard how RSPCA inspector Ben Cottle-Shaw attended Roberts’ address on October 24 last year following reports concerned for the welfare of a dog at the house called Phoebe.
The inspector was invited in to see Phoebe, an 11-year-old white and tan American Bull dog cross, and it was immediately apparent she was in poor health.
In his statement he said: “He confirmed that he owned a dog and it was ill and thin, but he said she hadn't been to a vet as he hasn't got any transport to get there.
“He invited me inside the property into the living room where I saw Phoebe laid on a dog bed and was visibly thin with all her spine, hip and skull bones protruding.
"She had a visible white clouding of both eyes. She then stood up and its hip bones and ribs etc were even more prominent and was seen disoriented when walking.”
Inspector Cottle-Shaw, with Robert's permission, rushed Phoebe to a vet but sadly the vet decided that due to her serious health issues the kindest option was to put her to sleep to end her suffering.
The vet said she was severely dehydrated and also had cataracts, typical of diabetic dogs.
When an animal is not treated for diabetes with injection insulin twice a day, they cannot utilise glucose as a primary source of energy.
“It is in my opinion that Phoebe suffered for a period longer than six months, possibly over 12 months,” she said.
She had to be euthanised due to the severe clinical signs and how advanced her medical condition was.
As well as the lifetime ban the court also handed Roberts an 18 month community order, including a 12 month Drug Rehabilitation Order and 20 RAR days centred around critical thinking skills.
He was also ordered to pay £150 costs at the hearing held on April 20.
In mitigation the court heard Roberts was ill at the time and had no money as he had lost his job
The court also heard that he had suffered from his mental health and was dealing with significant personal challenges.
Speaking after the case RSPCA Inspector Cottle-Shaw said: “The suffering Phoebe would have endured was entirely unnecessary and the result of a long-standing failure to provide the most basic standard of care.
"Owning an animal is a significant responsibility, and owners have a legal duty to meet their needs.”