Michelle Wood, of Woodward Road, Birkenhead, appeared at Wirral Magistrates’ Court yesterday, to be sentenced for an offence of causing unnecessary suffering to the dog and for failing to meet the dogs needs. She pleaded guilty to the offences at a previous hearing earlier this month.
The court heard that the RSPCA was contacted by a member of the public who was concerned that the dog, a Staffordshire bull terrier called Sasha, wasn’t receiving treatment for tumours on her body.
An RSPCA inspector visited Woods’ house and saw through the window Sasha lying on the sofa – but the full extent of her suffering was initially hidden.
RSPCA inspector Naomi Norris said: “Sasha’s tumours were so large that it is no surprise that she couldn’t move off the sofa. The largest tumour on the underside of her body was the size of a child’s football, and she had another two by her genitals which were the size of golf balls – both of which had become ulcerated.
“She was clearly in a lot of pain and very uncomfortable.
“We took her to a vet and they believed she had been suffering with these tumours for months. This was clearly a case of prolonged neglect. Sadly, as she was so poorly, the vet made the decision that the kindest thing to do was to put her to sleep to end her suffering.”
In court, it was said that Woods did not get Sasha the treatment she needed because of financial reasons.
“Pet-owners have a legal responsibility to seek veterinary treatment for their animals when they require it,” added Inspector Norris. “There are many organisations out there who can help if there are financial issues. It simply isn’t acceptable to leave an animal to suffer.”
As well as a five-year ban on keeping animals, Woods was given an 18-week prison sentence suspended for 12 months, told to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work, and was ordered to pay costs of £1,020 and a £115 victim surcharge.