CONVICTED (2019) | Fern Amelia Thoms, born 6 December 1990 and Peter David Thoms, born 17 February 1989, both of Exeter Road, Dawlish, Devon – allowed their elderly collie to suffer with a painful skin condition and to become underweight.
The Thoms’ 12-year-old collie, Kizzy was underweight and missing fur when she was rescued by the RSPCA.
The charity first became aware of the neglect of the dog after an anonymous report from a member of the public.
A photograph was sent to the RSPCA and an inspector found Kizzy in a lamentable condition, with missing fur, scabs and pink inflamed skin covering her body. She was taken for veterinary treatment and subsequently seized by the police.
Fern and Peter Thoms were found guilty of one offence under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
Speaking about the case RSPCA inspector Marije Zwager said: “The photographs show just what an appalling state Kizzy was in at the time of her rescue. She must have been so uncomfortable and itchy all the time resulting in her nibbling and scratching herself raw.
“Kizzy’s terrible condition could have been avoided if she was promptly taken to a vet and the owners had followed veterinary advice to manage her chronic skin condition – it should never have got to this situation, and should never have simply been treated with ineffective home remedies by those responsible for her care.”
Kizzy has since recovered while in the care of the RSPCA at West Hatch in Somerset.
Sentencing: ordered to pay £200. Three-year ban on keeping dogs (expired May 2022). They were also deprived of ownership of Kizzy.