CONVICTED (2022) | Richard Duncan Reynolds, born c. 1966, and wife Lesley Reynolds, aka Lesley Davies, born c. 1963, both of Sillyearn Schoolhouse, Grange, Keith, Banffshire AB55 6TL – failed to take their desperately unwell dog to the vet and left him in severe pain.
Richie Reynolds and Lesley Reynolds pleaded guilty to failing to seek veterinary treatment for their dog, Patch.
The court heard that the 13-year-old Cavalier King Charles spaniel would have been in a considerable amount of pain and suffering for a number of months. There was no credible reason why this would have not been recognised by the Reynolds.
Very sadly, the little dog was so poorly vets decided to put him to sleep on welfare grounds.
Scottish SPCA inspector Amanda Watson said: “Sadly the difficult decision was made by a vet to put Patch to sleep to end his suffering.
“Patch was unclean, depressed and almost collapsed when we took him to be examined by a vet.
“He had at least six lumps of matted faeces attached to various parts of his body.
“He was in an emaciated body condition and weighed just four and a half kilos. The average weight of a male cavalier King Charles spaniel usually ranges from six to eight kilos.
“On top of this, Patch had a grade three to four pansystolic heart murmur, a considerable amount of tartar covering his molars and pre molars causing his gums to recede, and gave no indication that he had any sight.
“Upon further examination of his eyes his reactions were consistent with having keratitis which would have caused Patch a lot of pain.
“These issues did not appear overnight and poor Patch would have been caused a considerable amount of discomfort and pain over a long period of time.
“A post-mortem of Patch revealed that he had severe chronic dental disease, a severe case of ear mites, mitral valve disease, suspected renal disease and a low body condition score.
“Patch had been severely neglected over a long period of time.
“Although we’re glad that Reynolds has received a fine we would have liked for both him and Lesley Reynolds to have received a ban on keeping animals due to the disregard they showed for Patch’s well-being in this case, which undoubtedly contributed towards his death.
“We hope they seriously reconsider their ability to care for any animal in future.”
Sentencing: Richard Reynolds was fined £480 while his wife was admonished. No ban was imposed by the court.
If only they had taken the poor little Dog to the Vet sooner, and not left him to suffer. They had obviously looked after him in the past as the Dog was 13 Years old. We all have to make provisions for our Pets with Veterinary Treatment as needed, especially as they get older. A Good Bath and Groom could have sorted out the Coat, and Ear Mite Treatment would have been easy to purchase on line. The Dental Diseases could have been Veterinary Treated Early On, and not left to get in such a bad condition.