CONVICTED (2017) Lee Andrew Gemmell, born c. 1982  and Linda Michelle Griffith (aka Michelle Gemmell), born c. 1986, of Collins Court, Hightown, Wrexham LL13 8QX – confined their dog to a cupboard

Gemmell and Griffith neglected to look after seven-year-old dog Penny from October 6 to 20, 2016.

An RSPCA inspector found the Staffordshire Bull Terrier to be malnourished, suffering with an ear infection and sores on her legs, and kept in a cupboard under the stairs.

The pair  each pleaded guilty to two charges of causing unnecessary suffering, and two charges of being responsible for the animal’s welfare.

Glen Murphy, prosecuting for the RSPCA at Wrexham Magistrates Court, said the couple were visited by the charity in October 2016 after concerns were raised by the public about Penny’s welfare.

He said: “Insp Kia Thomas spoke to Mr Gemmell and explained the concerns about the dog.

“Mr Gemmell said she [Penny] had recently been wormed and let her out of a cupboard in the hallway, which was described as being a small area inside, littered with children’s toys, of limited space with no food, bedding or water.

“The inspector was shocked by the condition of the dog, ribs clearly visible, sores on her legs and she drank thirstily.

“To his credit, Mr Gemmell immediately agreed to sign the dog over to the RSPCA.”

Mr Murphy outlined further descriptions of the dog’s condition – that she smelt of urine, had overgrown nails, and was not microchipped.

Penny was described as being of “a friendly nature”.

The court heard Griffith was in hospital at the time as she was pregnant with the couple’s second child.

A veterinary examination of Penny found she had “copious amounts” of live fleas and an untreated ear infection causing her significant discomfort.

Her weight condition was described as being two out of nine (with nine being obese).

After being in RSPCA care for a couple of weeks, Penny’s ear problem had been resolved, she had gained muscle mass and her weight had increased.

Mr Murphy said Gemmell admitted to the RSPCA he should taken her to the vet, but was short of money.

He said she was fed on dry biscuit food and was only put in the cupboard for 10 minutes “to stop her whining”.

Andy Holliday, defending, said the couple were struggling to look after the dog financially.

He said: “Mr Gemmell is the owner of the dog and it does appear that as a result of a difficult second pregnancy and the strain on their finances, money the couple has had has gone to support the children.

“The dog has fallen down the pecking order.”

Mr Holliday explained the reason Gemmell did not give Penny away sooner was because he “had an emotional attachment” to the dog, having had her since a puppy.

Sentencing: 
12-month conditional discharges. Costs and charges of £105 each. Banned from keeping animals for 10 years (expires February 2027).

WalesOnline