A Scots couple have been fined after a dog with lumps of matted faeces across his body had to be put down.
Patch, a 13-year-old black and white Cavalier King Charles spaniel, belonged to Richard Reynolds, 55, and Lesley Reynolds, 58.
The dog had been seriously neglected for a long period of time by the pair from Grange, Banffshire, according to the Scottish SPCA.
He was was unclean, depressed and almost collapsed when he was taken to be examined by a vet by the animal welfare charity.
Patch had an emaciated body and weighed just four and a half kilos, rather than the average six to eight kilos for a male of his breed.
He had a considerable amount of tartar on his teeth causing his gums to recede and a grade three to four pansystolic heart murmur
The dog did not seem to have any sight and further examination found, he was likely to have keratitis, which would have been painful.
The Scottish SPCA made the decision to put Patch down to end his suffering.
A post-mortem revealed he had also had a range of other issues including severe chronic dental disease, a severe case of ear mites, mitral valve disease, suspected renal disease and a low body condition score.
Richard and Lesley Reynolds pled guilty to failing to seek veterinary treatment for their dog, Patch. Richard was fined £480.
Scottish SPCA inspector Amanda Watson said: “These issues did not appear overnight and poor Patch would have been caused a considerable amount of discomfort and pain over a long period of time.
“A post-mortem of Patch revealed that he had severe chronic dental disease, a severe case of ear mites, mitral valve disease, suspected renal disease and a low body condition score.
“Patch had been severely neglected over a long period of time.
“Although we’re glad that Reynolds has received a fine we would have liked for both him and Lesley Reynolds to have received a ban on keeping animals due to the disregard they showed for Patch’s well-being in this case, which undoubtedly contributed towards his death.
“We hope they seriously reconsider their ability to care for any animal in future.
“If anyone is concerned about an animal, they can contact our confidential animal helpline on 03000 999 999.”
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