CONVICTED (2021) | Kerry-Ann Fretwell-Challenger aka Kerryann O’Malley , born 15 November 1979, of Brantwood Crescent, Cantley, Doncaster DN4 6LR – wilfully neglected her two dogs
Fretwell-Challenger was investigated by the RSPCA in relation to her poor care of Staffordshire bull terriers Sasha and Roxy.
Inspector Sarah Jordan was called to the mother of six’s address on May 21, 2021, to collect an injured dog she claimed had been found behind some shops by her daughter. The dog, later identified as Sasha, was unable to bear weight on her left foreleg due to a deep wound which appeared to be infected.
Inspector Jordan said: “Throughout my conversations with Ms Fretwell-Challenger I had my suspicions that the dog may have belonged to her.
“A search on social media found a number of photos of Sasha on Ms Fretwell-Challenger’s Facebook page over the period of a number of years and on the June 10, last year, I made a call to her to put this evidence to her which she denied..”
The RSPCA then received a tip-off that another dog in poor condition was being kept at Fretwell-Challenger’s address. An inspector attended with police and a second Staffy, Roxy, was seized. She was suffering from severe skin disease with significant hair loss, crusting and scabbing as well as marks of self-mutilation.
A vet report produced in court stated that Sasha was suffering from a large open wound to her left forelimb with puncture wounds consistent with a dog bite. The bone itself was visible, her leg was swollen and she was unable to bear weight on it. The vet stated the injury to her leg would have been at least three to five days old.
The vet report for Roxy stated that she was suffering from severe skin disease with significant hair loss, crusting and scabbing as well as marks of self-mutilation.
The report added: “The severe skin disease Roxy was suffering with was clearly a source of notable discomfort and pruritus, leaving her not only in pain with her sore and damaged skin but with the mental anguish of always feeling itchy.”
The vet stated that this would have been going on for several weeks and it would have been ‘plainly obvious’ that she needed veterinary treatment.
“By not seeking that and leaving her untreated, her owner has caused her unnecessary suffering,” the report concluded.
Speaking after the sentencing, Inspector Jordan said: “This was a sad case that could have so easily been avoided if the owner had sought veterinary treatment for her two dogs.”
Both dogs were signed over into the charity’s care last August and have now been re-homed.
Sentencing: 12 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months; 80 hours of unpaid work; a total of £478 in costs and charges. Five year ban on keeping animals (expires March 2026).
I hope She Looks After Her 6 Children.
Better Than She Cared For Those Two Dogs.
They clearly needed Veterinary Care.
She could have at least Bandaged The Wound and gave Anti Biotics.
The other Dog with a Skin Condition, She could have at least Bathed the Dog and purchased some Medication off the Internet.
Some people just haven’t got a clue.