RSPCA: Owner jailed as dog’s claws had pierced through her paws
A man has been jailed after his dog’s claw grew so long they pierced through her paws.
Bodger the 16-year-old Staffie was ‘extremely lame’ because the claws on two of her feet had grown under her paw and up through her foot pad and out the other side.
Inspector Hayley Lawrence said she could smell rotting flesh from the dog’s infected paws as she stepped into the home in Bridgewater, Somerset.
Inspector Lawrence said: “I could smell the dog before I even saw her. It was the smell of necrotic flesh where her paws were infected.
“They were the worst ingrown nails I’ve seen in my 20-odd years with the RSPCA. They had grown under the paw and back up, punched through the pad and were curling back round again.
“It would have taken months, if not years, for her nails to have got into that state and was obviously very painful for her. She was constantly licking her feet and was extremely lame and didn’t want to put any weight on her infected feet.”
After the visit in April this year (2013) Bodger was taken to the vets where she was sedated, had her nails clipped and was given antibiotics for her two infected foot pads.
Inspector Lawrence added: “It was extremely easy to deal with, a simple visit to the vet and now Bodger is fit and well and looking for a new home for her twilight years.”
Nicholas Sawby, 52 from Bridgewater in Somerset pleaded guilty to two counts when he appeared at Taunton Magistrates’ Court yesterday (Oct 21).
· Causing unnecessary suffering by failing to provide adequate veterinary care and attention for Bodger’s infected feet contrary to section 4 of the Animal Welfare Act.
· Failing to protect Bodger from pain and suffering by not adequately trimming her nails contrary to section 9 of the Animal Welfare Act.
Sawby was jailed for four weeks and banned for keeping animals for five years. The magistrates signed Bodger over to RSPCA care and it is hoped she will be rehomed soon.
The RSPCA is only able to investigate cases like this thanks to generous donations from the public. If you would like to help the RSPCA, you can give £3 now by texting HELP to 78866 (texts cost £3 + one standard network rate message).
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For more photographs of Bodger please call the press office on 0300 1230053 or email press@rspca.org.uk
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