A Burnham-On-Sea woman has been disqualified from keeping dogs for five years after her underweight springer spaniel suffered with a painful untreated skin condition.
Sarah Taylor of Cookson Close, Burnham, admitted causing unnecessary suffering to her springer spaniel Cookie when she appeared before North Somerset Magistrates Court on Monday (20th November).
An investigation was launched by the RSPCA after the animal welfare charity was contacted by a concerned member of the public who had seen Cookie covered in raw itchy scabs.
RSPCA inspector Miranda Albinson said: “Those who own animals have a responsibility to care for them and ensure health conditions are dealt with promptly by a vet to avoid their pets suffering. There is never an excuse for ignoring an animal in need.”
Alongside the disqualification, which she can not appeal for three years, Taylor was also ordered to pay a £380 fine.
She admitted causing unnecessary suffering, contrary to Section 4 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006, by failing to provide veterinary care for Cookie’s skin condition between April, 7 and May, 7, 2017 and failing to meet Cookie’s needs by ensuring he maintained an appropriate body condition, contrary to Section 9 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006, while living at an address in Nightingale Way in Weston-super-Mare.
