CONVICTED (2015) | Cheryl Welch, born 08/08/1978, of Purbrook Way, Havant PO9 3SG – failed to adequately groom her elderly shih tzu dog and treat her eye condition

Cheryl Welch admitted causing unnecessary suffering and failing to protect shih-tzu Tam from pain, suffering, injury and disease by failing to adequately groom her

The 10-year-old shih tzu could not see after her fur became so matted it damaged her eyes.

The court heard that Tam had been a rescue dog and Welch had taken her in.

But she was found by a member of the public and reported to the RSPCA after a freak near-miss when she ran out into the road and was nearly run over.

The driver was so shocked by the matted hair all over Tam that she called the RSPCA.

Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court heard how she was suffering from ‘poor husbandry’ with faeces and urine in her hair.

She was also suffering from dry eye, which had gone untreated for six months.

Sarah Wheadon, prosecuting for the RSPCA, said: ‘It certainly had been very uncomfortable for Tam and caused a significant degree of irritation.’

She added: ‘This was not a condition that could have gone on unnoticed by the owner.

‘It’s very severe and Tam was giving off a smell.’

Tam was signed over to the RSPCA but Welch was allowed to keep cats, birds and another dog.

Chair of the magistrates’ Jennifer Duddridge made the ruling as there was ‘no evidence of neglect of remaining animals and your children love their pets and they are important to them’.

Sentencing: community order with a 15-day rehabilitation activity requirement. Total of £160 costs and charges. No ban.

Source: The News (article removed).