CONVICTED (2023) | Matthew John Gerlach, born 30 November 1979, and Kirsty Gerlach, born 20 June 1982, of Kingsdown, Dursley GL11 4DD – allowed their elderly pet Labrador to become malnourished and covered in his own excrement.

The RSPCA conducted two welfare checks, one in December 2022 and one three months later, after a member of the public raised concerns about the condition of the Gerlachs’ 13-year-old Labrador, named Marley. The inspector recommended to Kirsty Gerlach to seek medical help if the dog’s health deteriorated. On the follow-up check-in, Marley was found lethargic and reluctant to walk, as well as extremely underweight. A vet said the kindest option would be to put him to sleep.

RSPCA inspector Richard Carr initially visited the home of Matt and Kirsty Gerlach on December 12, 2022, after the charity received a report of concern from a member of the public.

Kirsty Gerlach told Mr Carr she was giving Marley joint supplements because of his age. The inspector offered guidance on caring for elderly dogs and recommended taking Marley to a vet if he grew weak or developed mobility issues.

More concerns were raised about Marley’s condition and Mr Carr returned three months later with a council animal welfare officer. He found Marley’s physical condition had deteriorated and he was kept in a dog crate in the kitchen, covered in his own excrement.

In a statement presented to the court, inspector Carr said: “Marley’s hips and ribs were easily visible and he was lethargic and seemed reluctant to walk. The owner said he had lost control of his bowels.”

Kirsty Gerlach agreed to let the inspector take Marley to the vet. He had to be carried off the premises by the council officer because he was so unwell.

The vet said the kindest option was to put Marley to sleep to end his suffering. The vet assessing Marley said he was extremely underweight, with a body condition score – a tool vets use to evaluate animal’s body condition and nutrition status – was two. The ideal is five, according to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention.

She added in her expert report she was confident Marley’s weight loss was caused either by an underlying condition, for which the owners should have sought treatment, or him being starved for a period of longer than four weeks.

In mitigation, the court heard that the couple claimed they “would have taken the dog to a vets if they had been told to”.

Sentencing |

Kirsty Gerlach: 20 rehabilitation activity (RAR) days; fined £40.
Matthew Gerlach: 15 RAR days and 100 hours of unpaid work.
Both defendants were told to pay costs of £400 and a victim surcharge of £114.
10-year disqualification orders.

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