Bruton couple who left scalded dog to suffer banned from keeping animals

Two people have been banned for keeping animals after leaving their dog to suffer from a hot water scald without vet treatment.

Missy was found to have a large untreated burn caused by hot water when she was helped to safety by RSPCA rescuers.

The former owners were given pet bans after pleading guilty to an animal welfare offence, following an investigation and prosecution by the RSPCA.

Jordan Allen, of no fixed abode, was given a ten year ban from owning all animals.

He was also sentenced to 16 weeks in custody, suspended for 12 months, with a requirement to undertake 15 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement (RAR) days and 300 hours unpaid work. He must also pay a £114 victim surcharge and £500 costs.

Paisley Farthing of Park Drive, Bruton was also disqualified from keeping dogs for five years.

She was sentenced to a 12 month community order with a requirement to undertake 20 RAR days. She must also pay £250 costs and a £114 victim surcharge.

Allen claimed that Missy was scolded accidentally after she pulled over a cup of hot water while he was making a cup of tea.

The couple failed to seek vet care for Missy, instead taking treatment advice from a friend and leaving her to suffer with weeping, puss-filled wounds covering parts of her back, shoulders and neck.

When vets finally saw Missy nine days later, they found her injuries to be well established having a pus-like discharge, fur loss and some dry scabbing.

The vet report stated: “Scalding causes a serious skin injury and although skin wounds are not immediately obvious, scalding injuries begin to worsen five days later with skin inflammation, moist exudate, fur loss.

"The animal will experience pain immediately which will persist for a number of days and gradually become pruritic and irritating. The animal will often display behavioural signs such as scratching, rubbing and chewing at the affected skin.

“Jordan Allen claims to have been making a cup of tea which had resulted in Missy jumping up at the work surface and knocking over the mug containing boiling water. If this scenario is considered in detail, the resulting scald pattern is not consistent with this mechanism.

“In my opinion the needs of Missy were not met to the extent required by good practice due to the persons responsible for the welfare of this animal failing to seek prompt veterinary advice after becoming aware that the dog had been scalded by boiling water, thereby failing to protect this animal from pain and suffering.”

RSPCA Inspector Daniel Hatfield, who investigated for the animal welfare charity, said: “Animals feel pain and suffering just like we do and always deserve to be shown kindness and compassion. Our plea to all pet owners is to make sure they always receive care and treatment from veterinary experts when they need it.

“They are completely reliant on their owners to ensure their needs are met and they are kept safe and healthy. Owning an animal is a privilege - and ensuring appropriate veterinary care is a key part of the responsibility we have towards them.

“If any pet owner is struggling to care for their animal we’d encourage them to reach out to a charity or organisation who can help.”

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