CONVICTED (2022) | Susan Pace, born c. 1953, and Marian Hazel Smith, born c. 1966, both of Browning Close, Tamworth B79 8NB – for cruelty to three puppies, two of whom did not survive.
Susan Pace and Marian Smith were found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to the female puppies: West Highland terrier-types Tilly and Daisy, and a Jack Russell named Mini , by failing to provide adequate or reasonable care and supervision in respect of their protection from harm.
All three puppies developed mysterious illnesses over a period of around five months which led to concerns for their welfare by a vet who had been treating them.
Tragically, little Tilly died and Daisy was put to sleep on welfare grounds after both had recently been examined by a veterinary surgeon. A cause of death was not established in either case other than their deaths were unexpected.
Another two dogs had died within the same home environment without explanation.
He said: “Daisy and Mini had recurrent episodes (five in total) of ulceration of the mouth, tongue or eyes. The clinical signs were very similar in each case having ulceration of the mouth, tongue and/or eyes and were consistent with the puppies reacting to facial contact with a corrosive agent such as a caustic detergent.
“Daisy at an age of 10 weeks was found to have developed ulceration of the mouth and tongue with inflammation of the nose suspected to have been caused by toxicity, bacteria, virus or electrocution.
“After making a good recovery the condition occurred again. At this stage it would be expected that a reasonable owner would begin to take precautions regarding Daisy’s activities and the environment within which she may come into contact with injurious hazards.”
He also noted that Mini at the age of 10 weeks showed signs of having conjunctivitis and developed a sore mouth with ulceration of the tongue almost identical to that experienced by Daisy two-three months earlier.
“At this time the examining veterinary surgeon raised the suspicion of the puppy having contacted alkaline disinfectants. By 12/11/20 Mini was considered to be recovering very well. However, an episode of eye ulceration and sudden development of swelling around the muzzle was reported on 15/11/20 and a further episode of mouth ulceration started to develop again on 20/11/20.
“This would suggest that Mini had been further exposed to the cause of the eye and mouth ulceration subsequent to the first episode on 5/11/20.”
He said that in his opinion the needs of Tilly, Daisy and Mini had not been met to the extent required by good practice due to the person responsible for the welfare of these animals failing to protect them from disease.
“It appears from the medical notes that prompt veterinary advice and treatment was sought on each occasion reducing the suffering experienced by those animals,” he said.
“However, it follows that if the person(s) responsible for the welfare of these animals failed to meet their needs as a consequence of failing to protect them from disease, it also follows that these animals were caused to suffer as a consequence of that failure.”
The court heard a witness statement from RSPCA inspector Herchy Boal who attended the veterinary hospital where Mini was being cared for on 24 November 2020.
She then later visited Pace and Smith at their home address – along with police – and advised them that all of their animals were to be removed pending an investigation due to concerns raised about the care of puppies they recently had.
A female Cavachon dog, female Yorkshire terrier, a grey and yellow budgie, a yellow and green budgie, a female rabbit, a male rabbit, four guinea pigs and a tan hamster were removed from the property.
These animals, who have been in RSPCA care, will now be made available for rehoming. Mini, who has been with a foster family, has made a full recovery and will now be able to be rehomed officially.
Following the hearing, inspector Boal said: “We are very grateful to the vets for raising these concerns. The RSPCA very much relies on the public to be our eyes and ears and report any concerns about animal welfare.”
Sentencing | both were given an 18-month conditional discharge, ordered to pay £1,422 in costs and charges. They were disqualified from keeping any animals for four years (expires May 2026).
This is such a bazar case. They were obviously picking up some sort of poisonous substance, which seemed to be ongoing. Yet the owners were taking them to the Vet and it seemed to be ongoing. Possibly out the Garden maybe. Our Gardens are a favourite for poisonous stuff to Animals. Jeyes Fluid Disinfectant is particularly poisonous to Cats, many Bulbs and Indoor and Outdoor Plants and Flowers, not to mention Slug Pellets, Pesticides and lots of other stuff gardeners use.
Where was the husband in all this? Was there not a man about the house?
I think these two are a couple.
Oh boy!