RSPCA: Dogs found with tumours the size of watermelons
Suffolk man given ten-year animal ban
A man from Suffolk has been banned from keeping all animals for ten years after an RSPCA inspector found his two dogs had been left with untreated tumours.
John Staples (14.09.43) of Lulworth Drive, Haverhill pleaded guilty at Bury St Edmunds Magistrates to causing unnecessary suffering to and failing to meet the needs of a cocker spaniel called ‘Mimi’ and black Labrador called ‘Heidi’.
He admitted failing to seek veterinary treatment for a chronic skin condition on Heidi’s legs, Mimi’s chronic dental disease and overgrown nails and large ‘skin masses’ growing from both dogs’ between the dates of 28 February 2012 and 28 February 2013.
Yesterday (Thursday 26 September) he was given a 10-year ban which he cannot appeal for five years, and ordered to pay £250.
“This is an extremely shocking case, and one of the saddest I have seen since I became an RSPCA inspector,” said RSPCA Inspector Richard Lithgoe.
“At least one of the tumours was the size of a watermelon. It was awful to think how much those poor animals must have struggled to cope with such large growths. A vet who examined Mimi and Heidi clearly felt they had suffered for a significant period of time,” he added.
Sadly Heidi had to be put to sleep to end her suffering, but Mimi was successfully operated on and has since been found a loving home
To help the RSPCA investigate cases like this you can give £3 by texting the word HELP to 78866 (texts cost £3 plus one standard network rate charge).
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