A woman who neglected her dog after leaving him home alone without food and water has been banned from keeping animals for ten years.
Oleg was emaciated and living in squalid conditions when rescued.
Jade Harwood (date of birth: 28/09/1988), of Kings Norton, was also sentenced to 12 weeks custody, suspended for two years, following the investigation and prosecution by the RSPCA.
The animal welfare charity was contacted with concerns for an eleven-year-old Husky named Oleg. Callers reported the dog was underweight and living unattended in unsanitary conditions.
Repeated visits by the animal welfare charity’s officers confirmed he was being left alone in the squalid property.
Oleg was found without food and water in the cluttered property which was filled with litter and debris.
He was rescued after being seized by police and taken to RSPCA Birmingham Animal Hospital where he was found to be severely underweight and covered in fleas.
The vet, who examined the Oleg, said in their report to the court: “He had a body condition score of 1 out of 9, (a healthy weight would be 4-5) meaning that he was emaciated with muscle loss and no discernible fat.
“A reasonable owner would provide an adequate diet, ensure an adequate supply of water, and present their animal for veterinary assessment if they failed to gain or maintain a healthy weight.
“This dog was extremely underweight with obvious muscle loss. The owner should have also noticed the marked flea dirt and numerous live fleas present on Oleg’s body and should have provided adequate preventative treatment or presented Oleg for veterinary treatment given the level of flea infestation present.
“It is likely that Oleg also showed signs consistent with his severe anaemia such as lethargy, weakness and a possible a reluctance to eat, which may have contributed further to his poor body condition and should have prompted the owner to seek veterinary advice.”
In mitigation, it was said dealing with personal issues and caring responsibilities, and she is remorseful and ashamed of what happened.
Alongside the ten year ban, which she can not appeal to be lifted for five years, and suspended prison sentence, she was ordered to pay £350 costs and a £154 victim surcharge, when she was sentenced at Birmingham Magistrates Court on April 29. She had been found guilty in her absence at an earlier hearing.
Oleg saw his weight increase by 68% to 21.9kg in just three months. Sadly due to unrelated health concerns he was later euthanised.
RSPCA Inspector Ben Jones, who investigated for the animal welfare charity, said: “Animals are completely reliant on their owners to ensure their needs, including the need for a suitable diet, are met. Owning an animal is a privilege and ensuring appropriate care is a key part of the responsibility we have towards them.”
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