CONVICTED (2019) | Janice Clow, born 30 August 1967, of Mersey Road, Gateshead NE8 3SR – failed to treat her elderly German Shepherd’s arthritis and painful skin and eye problems
Mother-of-four Janice Clow pleaded guilty to one offence under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 to causing unnecessary suffering to her German Shepherd called Rocky.
The 11-year-old dog was in such a bad state when he was taken to the vet by the RSPCA that he had to be put down.
RSPCA inspector Rachael Hurst went to Clow’s home on August 21, 2019, following a complaint about a German Shepherd with a serious skin problem.
Inspector Hurst said: “Rocky was 11 and was in a really bad way. He was shaking and itching and stood in a hunched posture.
“He’d lost almost all of the fur across his body and his skin was thickened and sore.”
Inspector Hurst took Rocky to a vet who discovered he was suffering from a chronic skin condition. Vets said he’d been in this state for at least three to six months, but they suspected he could have been suffering for years.
“Rocky had fleas and open wounds on his body,” Inspector Hurst added.
“He had severe ear infections, an ulcerated bleeding mass on one paw, and two healed corneal ulcers in one eye.
“He was extremely itchy and uncomfortable.”
The vet found he was struggling particularly on his back legs and that he’d likely been suffering from stiffness and pain caused by his arthritis for six months to a year.
Rocky also had severely overgrown nails and a painful eye condition.
“The vet said the extent of his skin condition and severity of his arthritis, which had gone untreated for months, possibly years, had caused ‘irreversible damage’ and sadly Rocky had to be put to sleep,” Inspector Hurst added.
In court, Clow said she’d tried her best to help Rocky and had sought advice from the internet but that it had not been enough to help him. The court heard that she was remorseful.
Sentencing | 16 weeks in custody, suspended for 12 months; 25 rehabilitation activity requirement days; 150 hours of unpaid work; ordered to pay £515 in costs and charges. Disqualified from keeping all animals for 10 years (expires December 2029).
Fuckin rat ????