CONVICTED (2022) | Aftab Karim, born 30 January 1982, of 3 Albany Drive, Dalton, Huddersfield HD5 9UR – attempted DIY surgery on his dog with a stapler.
Karim claimed he could not afford vet fees when his dog, Belgian Malinois Luna, was bitten by another dog.
The RSPCA was alerted to concerns about the animal, and found Karim had used a non-medical staple gun bought online to close “a substantial degloving injury” on the dog’s leg.
He admitted a charge under the animal welfare act at Kirklees Magistrates’ Court.
Karim took Luna to a veterinary surgery after another dog in his care left her with the “gaping” wound in September 2021.
He was given pain relief for Luna, along with anti-inflammatories and antibiotics.
The RSPCA said it was called to Karim’s home when he failed to bring Luna to a surgical appointment the next day.
Graphic images shared by the charity show the DIY job performed on Luna with 26 staples being used to hold her injury together.
The non-medical staple gun was bought by Karim online, the RSPCA said
When asked by inspectors at the charity, Karim said he could not afford the fees of up to £1,200 quoted.
Luna was examined and given emergency surgery to remove the staples and her wound was professionally treated.
“For a wound as large as the one suffered the dog would have required a full general anaesthetic,” veterinary surgeon James Adams said.
Karim, who admitted his actions were a “ludicrous act”, pleaded guilty to a charge of causing unnecessary suffering by failing to follow veterinary advice.
Both dogs were removed from his address.
Sentencing | 200 hours of unpaid work; £445 in costs and surcharge. Banned from keeping animals for seven years.