CONVICTED (2024) | Donna Marie Morrison, born November 1981, of 36 Durham Street, Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 6XP – turned a blind eye to her elderly dog’s suffering.
Morrison repeatedly ignored RSPCA advice to take elderly Staffy Dozer to a vet and instead left him to suffer with an animal mass and tumours across his body. The animal charity had even appointments on her behalf but she failed to attend.
RSPCA Inspector Helen Nedley said: “My colleague, Inspector Suzanne Edgar found that Dozer had a soft lump the size of a golf ball around his tail area.
“He also had a small lump the size of the end of a Biro pen on his front right leg.
“She strongly advised Donna Morrison to take Dozer to the vets for a check up on these lumps within the next two weeks.”
The tumours had spread through the canine’s body resulting in his thin body condition. Sadly vets had no choice but to put him down to prevent further suffering.
The court heard that the RSPCA first visited Morrison’s home in September 2022, after receiving reports of concern from the public.
Morrison was advised by the officer to take the dog to the vet. While she had apparently agreed to this, she failed to follow up.
By May 2023 Dozer’s condition had deteriorated significantly and he was signed over to the RSPCA and taken to a vet.
An ultrasound found two very large, hard masses inside Dozer’s abdomen pressing against his bladder, which had possibly spread from the original tumour on his backside.
An RSPCA spokesperson said: “The vet stated that given that Dozer’s weight loss was likely to have been somewhat chronic in nature, and that the anal mass had been present for some time, suffering could have been avoided if the dog had been taken to a vet sooner. It was likely Dozer had suffered for several weeks.
“He added that given the significant weight loss and the presence of the tumour, the needs of the Staffy were not being met.”
RSPCA Inspector Helen Nedley added: “It was Morrison’s legal responsibility to properly care for Dozer and she failed to do this. There was no excuse for failing to seek veterinary care for him when it was abundantly clear he so desperately needed it.
“This was an awful case and Dozer’s suffering could have easily been avoided. The RSPCA urges anyone struggling to take care of their animal to ask for help and act on advice, rather than neglecting them and leaving them to suffer.”
Sentencing | 18-month community order with 25 days of “rehabilitation” and 100 hours of unpaid work. £114 victim surcharge and £1,170 in costs. 10-year ban.
Stupid,cruel lump.