A Newcastle man has been banned from keeping animals for five years after leaving an elderly dog riddled with large tumours and crawling with fleas.
Bull terrier Oscar and cat Major had both been left with no food or water at a flat in Tumulus Avenue which had not been accessed by their owner Lee Jackson for a minimum of seven days.
The dog, who had been suffering for many weeks, had paws that were soiled with urine and faeces and multiple untreated tumours - including one mass on his stifle that measured 3.5 inches. A severe flea infestation had also caused significant hair loss and left him with skin that was sore and seeping fluid.
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Owner Lee Jackson, 37, who pleaded guilty to four animal welfare offences including causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal, was given the 12-week prison sentence - suspended for 12 months - at Newcastle Magistrates Court on Wednesday, March 8 following a prosecution by the RSPCA. Jackson, who is currently in prison on unrelated charges, was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £128.
Magistrates heard how one of the charity’s inspectors, Jaqui Miller, had visited the flat with the police officer and a housing officer on 16 June last year after Jackson had told the police to remove his animals because he wasn’t returning.
The court heard how Oscar was being relentlessly bitten by fleas and had scratched and itched his skin until it was raw. He also had tumours in his mouth, chest, groin and stomach. Major was also suffering from a flea infestation and was underweight.
Both animals were seized by the police and taken by inspector Miller for immediate veterinary treatment. Sadly Oscar's condition was so severe that he had to be put down to prevent further suffering.
However, cat Major was signed over into the care of the RSPCA and has since been rehomed after making a full recovery.
After the hearing, RSPCA inspector Jacqui said: "Oscar was in a shocking state with one of the worst flea burdens I have ever seen. He was in terrible distress and discomfort with his skin and the many untreated tumours all over his body.
"The mass in his mouth made it painful for him to eat and veterinary treatment should have been sought at a much earlier stage for both animals. Such was the extent of his neglect that Oscar's life sadly couldn’t be saved, although happily Major recovered well from his ordeal and is now in a new home.”
The vet who examined the elderly dog told the court: “Failure to provide veterinary care for the skin masses resulted in large, uncomfortable, awkwardly positioned growths which at the time of examination were very large. The weight of the masses and their positions caused difficulty in lying and would have made mobilisation awkward.
"The tumour on the chest had damaged skin where the stretch had made the skin thin and fragile. The suffering from the oral tumour was of a minimum of several weeks duration.
"The suffering was initially mild as it started to grow but it was moderate to severe when I examined him. The dog’s itchiness was relentless and the skin damage caused by the self-trauma caused progressively worse inflammation.
"His suffering was progressive over many weeks.”
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