CONVICTED (2024) | Collette Carre, born c. 1966, of Acacia Grove, March PE15 8HY – failed to treat a greyhound gravely ill with a 14cm tumour that covered her snout and muzzle.
Carre pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to the female greyhound type dog called Defa by failing to seek prompt veterinary care for the grapefruit-sized tumorous mass on her snout/muzzle, as well as weight loss and her poor bodily condition.
The RSPCA was alerted after Carre attended a veterinary practice to have the dog put to sleep.
A vet who examined Defa said in a statement that she was emaciated and had a large putrefying and necrosing tumour over her upper jaw obliterating the nostrils and there was an overpowering smell of rotting flesh and purulent discharge.
This would affect the dog’s ability to eat, drink and pant.
The examination found that she was dehydrated and hungry but was unable to eat and drink. The vet said the tumour would have been incredibly painful and estimated that she had been left to suffer for at least two months.
RSPCA Inspector Jon Knight said after the case: “We as pet owners have a responsibility to do the right thing for our animals – sadly this was not the case for poor Defa.
“It would not take any medical or veterinary expertise to see Defa was suffering and should have been taken to a vet sooner.”
In mitigation, the defendant said it was a result of mental health issues and financial difficulties.
Sentencing | 15-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months; community order with mental health treatment requirement and rehabilitation activity; £187 victim surcharge. Lifetime ban on keeping all animals.
Same old rubbish as a defence.