Twenty-year animal ban for Devon man who left dog to starve

A pet owner from Devon whose dog was found in an emaciated state in a crate has been banned from keeping animals for 20 years.

Simon Lucas, (D.o.B 15/7/1985), of St Andrews Road, Cullompton, admitted causing unnecessary suffering to a female crossbreed dog called Nova by failing to address the cause of her weight loss.

The court was told that a vet who examined Nova said she had suffered as a result of severe malnutrition and cachexia, which is a metabolic syndrome that causes significant loss of muscle and fat tissue. 

Nova's plight came to light when a member of the public contacted the RSPCA's emergency line to raise concerns about a dog being left unattended for long periods at the defendant's former flat on Sands Road at Paignton. It was reported the defendant had moved the address as he was seen moving possessions out of the property.

When an officer from the animal charity entered the flat with police on March 5 last year, it was believed the dog had been left unattended for at least 48 hours. They found the tan-coloured canine confined to a crate without access to food or water.

Nova was taken to vets in Torquay and later went to an animal hospital where she received treatment, including being administered intravenous fluids. She was in an emaciated state (with a body condition score of 0.5 out of nine, where five is the ideal) and suffering from severe dehydration.

A vet who examined the dog said that Nova was so thin that her suffering would have extended over weeks if not months.

"In that time she was deprived of a nutritional diet and a lack of mobility to ensure her optimum health," said the vet. "Any reasonably competent owner would have recognized the deterioration in Nova over that period and it would have been their responsibility to seek the appropriate veterinary attention and advice."

The defendant appeared for sentencing at Newton Abbot Magistrates' Court on December 16. In addition to the disqualification, he was handed a 16-week prison sentence that the magistrates suspended for 12 months. He was also told to pay the costs of the prosecution case, which totaled £2,179.68.

In mitigation the court was told that Lucas had "put a new relationship above caring for Nova" and he had thought someone was looking after her.

Nova, who is around two years old, has since made a good recovery, regaining weight and muscle tone (pictured). The defendant agreed to sign her over to the RSPCA, and she has since been rehomed.

Speaking after the sentencing, RSPCA Inspector Jim Farr said: "This dog was starving, and I dread to think what may have happened had she been left any longer." The defendant had previously been given advice about the dangers of leaving his dog unattended.

"Happily, Nova has made a great recovery and she has been adopted by a staff member at the Devon veterinary practice she was taken to."