A Blyth woman has been banned from pet ownership for a decade after neglecting a Staffordshire bull terrier which RSPCA inspectors found had a "lump the size of a tennis ball" on its shoulder.
Diane Boyden 59, of Ark Royal Close, Blyth, Northumberland, was admitted an offence of causing an animal unnecessary suffering by failing to get it veterinary treatment and was sentenced at North Tyneside Magistrates’ Court on March 2.
In October last year, RSPCA inspector Kirsty Keogh-Laws attend the woman's home and was "immediately concerned" about the welfare of her dog, named Teagan.
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The inspector said in a witness statement: "Teagan appeared to be very underweight - I could clearly see her hips, ribs and spine. She had a large lump on her right shoulder, around the size of a tennis ball. It was hard to touch. She also had a lump on her back leg.
Teagan appeared to be struggling to walk and appeared uncoordinated and disoriented when trying. She struggled to stand for any length of time and appeared confused."
The RSPCA official said Boyden had told her the dog hadn't been to the vet for "a number of years". When she was taken to a vet, they advised the dog needed to be put down.
The vet who assessed Teagan said, in a written statement shown to the court, that the dog had “extreme difficulties”, adding that she was “emaciated and with an ongoing health condition or severe starvation”, and had several masses on her body and possibly chronic kidney disease.
The vet added: "Having this in consideration, I would have concerns that Teagan is suffering. This could have been avoided with regular health checks that could have allowed early detection and therefore immediate action."
After sentencing, the RSPCA's inspector Keogh-Laws said: "This is a very sad case where a dog suffered because she didn’t get the veterinary treatment she needed earlier. Owners should always take their pet to a vet if there are any concerns about their health to avoid them suffering unnecessarily."
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