CONVICTED (2022) | professional dog walker John Stokesley trading as Paws N Go, born 13 January 1969, of 91 Spencer Drive, Paisley PA2 0TW – left his dog in pain and distress.
Stokesley pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to his dog Ziva, a two-year-old Rottweiler-German shepherd cross.
Ziva had suffered injuries to her legs and ears but Stokesley didn’t take her to a vet for four days. As a result her wounds were infected and Ziva developed sepsis. She eventually had to be put down as her injuries were so severe.
Scottish SPCA inspector Gillian Dick said: “We were contacted by a veterinary practice after Stokesley presented the dog there for treatment on November 15, 2019.
“He stated that another dog in the property had attacked Ziva on Monday November 11, 2019. The owner informed the practice that Ziva had a few wounds, which he had been bathing and treating at home but that she had stopped eating.
“Ziva was carried into the practice, as she was unable to walk. The vet had to examine Ziva while she lay on the floor as the dog was so weak she could not even lift her head.
“Ziva was extremely dehydrated and also appeared to be in shock. She had many wounds but the most significant was on her right hind leg. The wound was necrotic and so deep that the bone was exposed. She also had a deep, pus-filled wound behind her right ear.
“The veterinarian advised that Ziva was in septic shock and was suffering from multi-organ failure. Her back leg was so badly infected that it would need to be amputated but because Ziva was so weak she would not survive the anaesthetic and sadly the decision had to be made to euthanise her.”
The Scottish SPCA said it was disappointed Stokesley wasn’t issued with a ban on keeping animals.
“Stokesley failed to take appropriate action and respond to the urgency of his dog’s condition, which ultimately led to her suffering from excruciating and debilitating injuries, which became so severe that the only option was euthanasia to end her suffering,” added Inspector Dick.
“He is employed as a dog walker and has responsibility for animals in his care on a daily basis, which makes this incident even more concerning.
Anyone working in a professional capacity with animals would be expected to have easily recognised the severity of Ziva’s injuries.
“Had he taken swift action at onset of injury and provided his dog with the appropriate veterinary attention, she need not have suffered and may even still be alive and well today.
“We are pleased Stokesley has been fined but disappointed he was not issued with a ban given his employment involves caring for animals on a daily basis. We would hope he would think long and hard about his ability to care for animals going forward.”
Sentencing: fined £800. No ban.