Neglected dog was 'emaciated', court hears

A woman who left her ‘emaciated’ dog in a yard full of faeces has pleaded guilty to causing the animal unnecessary suffering.

Rachel McKenzie, 32, of Deyne Avenue, Rusholme, did not care for the Bull Terrier type dog, called Missy, leaving it to suffer muscle wastage, and emaciation, with her ribs, pelvis, spine and hip bone were protruding under her skin.

Photographs of Missy were taken at the time showing her in a terrible state.

David McCormick, prosecuting, said vets rated the dog’s health as a one out of nine, with one being emaciated, and nine being obese, five was the optimum score.

He said RSPCA officers visited McKenzie’s home in February and found faeces in the yard the dog was kept. There was no fresh drinking water and no comfortable resting area.

Mr McCormick said:

The vet noted Missy was ‘unsteady on her feet, weak and wobbly when walking’.

There were also skin abrasions on her body - which the vet say were consistent with fighting.

McKenzie pleaded guilty to unnecessary suffering to the dog, including failing to address poor body condition and weight, as well as failing to provide a poor environment at Manchester Magistrates’ Court on Thursday afternoon.

Mr McCormick added McKenzie admitted to RSPCA officers Missy was thin and wasn’t eating around two months. She did take her to the vet but never followed up appointments.

He added:

Judith Hawkins, mitigating, said:

She added her former partner had taken care of the dogs and she had been too unwell to clean the yard.

Missy is now in kennels. McKenzie is due to be sentenced in September.