CONVICTED (2017) | Lesley Marieanne Duke, born c. 1964, of St Johns Square, Gosport PO12 4TS – caused her elderly dog to bleed and collapse
Duke was banned from keeping animals for five years after causing her 10-year-old German shepherd, known as Kitty Karna, to bleed and collapse, which ultimately led to her being put to sleep.
Duke admitted two charges of causing unnecessary suffering to the dog after she was seen struggling with blood coming from her injured paws.
The RSPCA were called on May 24, 2017, after Duke had been confronted by members of the public in Brockenhurst Road, Gosport.
Kitty Karna was bleeding from her paws after excessive walking in the extreme heat, with temperatures that day reaching 25C.
She subsequently collapsed, and despite initially recovering well, she was found to be suffering with kidney failure and had to be put to sleep.
RSPCA inspector Jenny Ride, who investigated the case, praised the strangers who stopped to help.
Jenny said: “Kitty had been walked excessively in extremely hot weather through the streets which caused her paws to bleed before she finally collapsed of heat exhaustion.
“Thankfully the kind people who saw her suffering rushed to her aid and took her to the vets where she was treated and deemed to be suffering.
“During hot weather, the RSPCA advise people to walk your dog in the morning or evening when it will not burn on the pavement or be at increased risk of heatstroke, and to be alert for signs of burned pads or other heat-related health issues.
“Dogs need exercise, even when it is hot, so walking your dog early in the morning or later in the evening can help mitigate risks associated with high temperatures.”
Sentencing: 80 hours of unpaid work; ordered to pay £50 court costs. Banned from keeping any animal for five years (expired September 2022).