A pet owner let his dog's claws get so overgrown he struggled to walk and had to be put to sleep because of the pain caused, a court heard. Ian Podmore, 41, let his Staffordshire Bull Terrier Bentley's claws become so overgrown they became painfully embedded in his pads.
The six-year-old pooch was also suffering from a bilateral ear infection and a chronic skin disease which had caused extensive fur loss and scabs from head to toe. Despite extensive treatment, Bentley's condition was so severe that he had to be put to sleep to prevent further suffering.
At a sentencing hearing on February 28, RSPCA inspector Vicki McDonald said she visited Podmore's home after the charity was contacted about concerns for Bentley’s welfare. Inspector McDonald told Blackburn Magistrates Court that Bentley's claws 'were the worst' she had seen in her '20 year career.'
She said: "I was immediately struck by how thin he was and that he had an extensive skin condition and fur loss. I could also see that his claws were overgrown.
"Bentley’s skin was very red, smelly, crusty and thickened and there were sores present with extensive fur loss. His ears appeared infected.
"His claws were significantly overgrown with several so long they had pierced the pads and become embedded and infected. They were the worst I have seen on a dog in my 20 year career.
"His skin condition had caused what fur he had to contain head to toe scab-like patches giving him the appearance of being mottled. Ian Podmore stated he had owned the dog for about 18 months to two years and that he was not on any veterinary treatment.
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"He showed me some over the counter dog shampoo he said he had tried using but it had not resolved the problem."
Bentley was immediately taken to the RSPCA’s Greater Manchester Animal Hospital for immediate treatment. Due to the pain and discomfort his claws were causing, he had to be sedated so he could be examined and treated without causing further pain or trauma.
Podmore, of Blackburn, Lancashire, was advised that he would need to be interviewed in relation to animal welfare offences and signed Bentley over into the charity’s care. A vet from Greater Manchester Animal Hospital, who wished to be unnamed, told the court Bentley will have 'suffered for many days, as a minimum.'
She said: "Given the severity of Bentley’s condition on presentation, in my opinion he will have suffered for many days, as a minimum, likely longer. The low body weight will have taken many days or possibly weeks to have developed and would have left him experiencing weakness and debilitation.
"Ultimately Bentley had endured suffering unnecessarily. Regardless of the cause of the emaciation, ear disease, eye disease and skin disease and whether treatable or not, veterinary treatment should have been sought much earlier in this case."
Podmore has been banned from keeping dogs for a decade after he admitted two offences contrary to the Animal Welfare Act, following a prosecution by the RSPCA. He was also given an eight week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months on both charges to run concurrently and has to do 12 rehabilitation activity requirements days.
Podmore, who had received a written caution in 2019 in relation to another dog, was also told to pay costs of £100 and a £128 victim surcharge. Speaking after the sentencing, Inspector McDonald said: "Bentley's suffering was completely avoidable and unnecessary.
"Had he received help earlier he may well have survived. It’s imperative that people seek veterinary advice if their pet is showing signs of poor health and ask for help if they find themselves in a situation where they are not able to cope or meet their pet’s needs."
