Pictures have been released showing the dramatic recovery of a dog that was left looking like a skeleton having been neglected by his owners. An RSPCA inspector visited a property in Penywern Road, Ystalyfera, on Saturday, April 13, after a complaint had been made about an underweight lurcher dog called Marshall.
Although she was not able to gain access she could see a dog cage and a lurcher inside and a collie type dog. She posted a card through the letterbox asking for the owners to make contact. When they did, Inspector Gemma Cooper returned to the house and was “taken aback by how underweight Marshall was”, saying: “His ribs, spine and hip bones were extremely prominent and he had what looked like pressure sores on his legs, back end and tail.” For the latest court reports, sign up to our crime newsletter here.
There was another dog at the property – a brindle crossbreed called Shadow – who was described as “emaciated, extremely lethargic and depressed”. His RSPCA rescuer said she could feel “every bone in his body”. Inspector Cooper added: “In the kitchen were two dog crates, one that I had seen the top of Marshall in the day before and a second one with Shadow. Inside the cage with Shadow was an extremely large saucepan full of pasta, meat and a grape that looked untouched.
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“There was also a bowl of water but no bedding and Shadow was curled up at the back of the crate. I asked if I could feel him as I could not see his body weight due to his long fur. Shadow did not react to the opening of the door. He was extremely lethargic and depressed. As I held Shadow I could feel every bone in his body. He was lifeless and made no attempt to engage with me.”
Both dogs were taken to be seen by a vet where they were hospitalized. Due to their conditions they were seized by police and placed under the care of the RSPCA. Following vet care and appropriate feeding, they have both returned to a normal weight. Their owners, Rhiannon Mary Richards, 26, and Simon John Brown, 32, both of Penywern Road, Ystalyfera, appeared at Swansea Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, December 12.
How Marshall used to look -Credit:RSPCA Cymru
They had previously pleaded guilty to two offences under the Animal Welfare Act – causing unnecessary suffering to Marshall and Shadow by failing to adequately investigate or address the causes of their underweight bodily conditions, and failing to ensure that their needs were met in that they failed to meet one or a combination of the following welfare needs, which was need for a suitable environment, need for a suitable diet and their need to to be protected from pain, suffering, injury or disease.
In a witness statement provided to the court, a vet said Marshall was in a “very emaciated body condition” and was given a body score of one out of nine (with four being a healthy weight). He also had pressure sores and alopecia all over his body. He had dry skin around his face, ears and paws and flea dirt was present throughout his coat. The vet also said that Marshall was presented in a suffering state and had been suffering for a minimum of two weeks, but likely longer. Shadow was also presented to be in an emaciated condition with a body condition score of one and a half out of nine, and in a suffering state that the vet believed had lasted for a minimum of two weeks, but likely longer.
At sentencing Richards was handed a community order for 18 months, 20 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days, 80 hours of unpaid work and was disqualified from keeping all animals for seven years. She was ordered to pay £150 costs and a £114 victim surcharge. Brown was also handed an 18 month community order, 15 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days and 120 hours of unpaid work and was disqualified from keeping all animals for seven years. He was ordered to pay £300 costs and a £114 victim surcharge.
Following sentencing, Inspector Cooper said: “Both Marshall and Shadow were clearly suffering, but thankfully following vet care and an appropriate diet they have transformed into two healthy dogs. Shadow has been happily homed and we hope Marshall will soon also find his forever home.”
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