CONVICTED (2017) | Kayleigh Laybourn (aka Kayleigh Fenwick), born 29 October 1990, of Londonderry Terrace, Sunderland SR3 2EE – allowed her pet lurcher to starve
The lurcher, called Margo, was described as ’emaciated’ when RSPCA inspectors acted on a tip-off from a member of the public, Sunderland magistrates heard.
But the court heard owner Laybourn did not appear to accept she should have fed the dog,
John Ellwood, prosecuting on behalf of the RSPCA, said an inspector visited the home Laybourn shared with her two children after a complaint was made about her in June 2017.
The charity made three separate visits, but Laybourn failed to respond.
Mr Ellwood said: “This case concerns a dog – Margot. She was emaciated.
“Margot was in a small, cramped utility area. She was extremely skinny, with prominent hips, ribs and spine. All the ridges on the spine were visible.
“Margot weighed 25.3kg, she should have weighed 30kg. She was in poor body condition, with a poor quality coat.
“Bloods were taken which showed she had a low red cell count and other problems, either as a result of starvation or liver problems.
When Margo returned to the vet a few weeks later after being fed a proper diet she had gained 6lbs.
Mr Ellwood went on: “I can safely say that Margot was suffering from emaciation from lack of food.
“Since emaciation is the lowest stage of starvation that a dog can reach before death, this case must have involved a prolonged period of suffering.
“Whilst the defendant accepts she should have taken the dog to the vet, she doesn’t appear to accept that she should have fed it.
“Margot has now been fed back to full health.”
Laybourn pleaded guilty to two counts of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal. She was due to be sentenced on 7 December 2017 but no details are available.
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