CONVICTED (2021) | Jacqueline Blackmore (aka Jacqueline Blackmore King or Blackmore Taylor), age unknown, of Mere Gate, Margate, Kent CT9 5TR – kept a flea-riddled dog in a small crate with no bedding or water
Blackmore admitted causing unnecessary suffering to her Jack Russell terrier Sammy.
RSPCA inspectors say they first found the dog being kept outside and covered in urine stains.
During a follow-up visit, Sammy was discovered shut in a small crate in the living room with no water or bedding.
Vets later found the poor dog was infested with hundreds of live fleas and had “chewed his legs red raw”.
RSPCA inspector Kirsten Ormerod, who led the investigation, said: “On October 17 my colleague was taken in to see Sammy who was being kept outside.
“He was in a poor condition, was covered in urine stains, had overgrown nails and was clearly suffering from an untreated flea infestation. She issued a warning notice to get Sammy seen by a vet.”
But the following week, the RSPCA established Sammy had not been to see a vet and that Blackmore’s other dog, Poppy, had been put to sleep due to having tumours.
After finding Sammy in the tiny crate at the beginning of November, the charity’s officers took Sammy to a vet.
“Poor Sammy was absolutely crawling with fleas,” said the inspector.
“They were all over his back and he was almost completely bald across his rear end and had chewed his legs red raw. He was visibly uncomfortable and kept scratching and shaking. His skin was red and inflamed and smelt of urine.”
Vets found 420 live fleas crawling through his fur. He was treated by staff and remained in RSPCA care while officers investigated.
Following the sentencing, the inspector said: “We understand that people’s circumstances can sometimes make it difficult to care for their pets but as owners it is our responsibility to ensure that they are free from pain and discomfort and, in this case, she had clearly failed poor Sammy.”
After just a month of treatment, Sammy returned to the vets and his skin was much improved. He then moved to an RSPCA centre and was rehomed.
“Sammy is getting on really brilliantly in his new home and is loving life,” the inspector added.
“It’s wonderful to see the transformation he’s made and know he’s now got his happy ending!”
Sentencing: three-year conditional discharge; £400 in costs. Disqualified from keeping any animals for 10 years (expires January 2031).
And To Think That A Good Bath With Flea Shampoo, and To Wash All His Bedding, would have easily sorted this.
Some Anti Septic Ointment to sooth his soar skin.
It would Not have even Cost Much Money.
There is absolutely No Excuse.
Some people just don’t have a clue.
Very true, it really doesn’t take a lot to do, how could any one keep any pet like that? Evil and cruel to watch a pet scratch and bite their own flash through fleas and sore skin, why? She should have been banned for life from keeping any animal.
Very true, it really doesn’t take a lot to do, how could any one keep any pet like that? Evil and cruel to watch a pet scratch and bite their own flash through fleas and sore skin, why? She should have been banned for life from keeping any animal.