Man receives life ban on keeping animals

A dog owner has been handed a suspended jail sentence after failing to take his German Shepherd for regular vet treatment after her leg was broken.

Sheldon Moore (date of birth: 19.05.1994) of Harold Avenue, Barnsley, was also banned from keeping all animals for life. Barnsley Magistrates Court was told Moore missed six vets’ appointments over a month for Belle to have radiography or bandage changes on the fractured tibia.

The defendant swore at RSPCA officers investigating the neglect, failed to turn up for interviews with them and initially refused to sign over his pet into their care. Moore pleaded guilty to causing Belle unnecessary suffering by failing to follow and adhere to adequate or effective veterinary care for the injured back right limb. He also admitted failing to ensure that her needs were adequately met, by not providing suitable diet or pain relief. Both offences were brought under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

The court gave him an eight-week term suspended for 12 months for the first offence and a four-week term, also suspended for 12 months for the second - to run concurrently. At sentencing on April 3, he was also ordered to complete eight Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days, pay costs of £200 and a victim surcharge of £154.

RSPCA Inspector Kristy Ludlam said she went to the defendant’s home last April after the missed appointments. Belle had been taken to the PDSA a month earlier with a fracture which was said to have been caused by a road accident.  She also had two wounds on the leg.

Inspector Ludlam tried to explain that, because he failed to keep up her treatment, Belle was not being cared for correctly. She asked if he would sign her over into RSPCA care. In her statement to the court she said: “His eyes were extremely bloodshot, his words slurred, and his movements erratic, he appeared intoxicated. He bluntly refused, saying ‘I’m not signing nothing.’ He then became more erratic, pacing around the kitchen.”

The defendant asked the inspector to leave - which she did -  turned to go, explaining that she would need to investigate further. Inspector Ludlam called him on May 1 and cautioned him that she needed to interview him in case offences had been committed under the Animal Welfare Act. He agreed but he did not turn up and also failed to attend three subsequent meetings.

A vet’s report said Belle’s multiple missed appointments which had helped worsen her bandage sores and pain relief medication given to the defendant had not been used.

“Belle obtained a severe injury which would have caused severe and ongoing pain and suffering. The lack of attendance of scheduled appointments…..are very concerning.”

It said leaving the bandage on for a long time had caused pressure sores and infection. “This has contributed to ongoing suffering for a number of weeks.“

In mitigation, the court heard that Moore accepted he should have given Belle more “care and attention”, but said he did not hurt her “maliciously” and had no means of getting to the vet’s. He was described as suffering from alcoholism, his mental health was said to be poor and he had to care for his brother.

Inspector Ludlam said after the case: “We understand that veterinary treatment is expensive and that people have their problems to overcome.

“But financial support and other assistance is always available for pet owners and there is no excuse for letting animals in their care suffer. There are always ways and means and you cannot just ignore a pet who needs treatment. Belle is only a puppy. All she wanted to do was run around and play but she had a terrible time - all because of the failure to treat her poorly back leg. Happily, we got her the treatment she needed, she has made a full recovery and we have managed to find her the loving home she deserves.”

The RSPCA offers advice to owners struggling to care for their pets because of rising prices at our cost-of-living hub.