CONVICTED (2022) | Jordan Birchall-Roberts, born 11 January 2002, of Heol Cadfan, Coedpoeth, Wrexham LL11, and Carl Cassius Marius Birchall, born 14 March 1974, of 43 Meadow Lea, Caia Park, Wrexham LL13 8SN – failed to provide veterinary care and attention for a puppy with cropped ears.
The pair, who are father and son, pleaded guilty to one offence under the Animal Welfare Act of failing to meet the needs of a bulldog called Zena by failing to provide proper and necessary veterinary care and attention for her cropped ears.
The court had heard that the defendants told the RSPCA they had owned the puppy for a week and her ears were already cropped.
RSPCA inspector Rachael Davies attended Meadow Lea in Wrexham on June 9, 2022. She found Zena in the living room and could see instantly that her ears had been cropped and that they looked “swollen and appeared to have been cut unevenly”.
Inspector Davies – who was speaking to a lady at the property – said in a written statement: “I could see the holes where the stitches had been.
“The lady told me that the first night the puppy came home it was screaming in pain so they gave it some Calpol and since then it had been fine.”
Zena’s owner Birchall-Roberts then returned and inspector Davies asked him where he got the dog from.
He explained that had been given a phone number which had come off Gumtree.
“He said he then picked the dog up from some men at a service station in Chester,” she added.
“I asked if the puppy had seen a vet, he said no. I advised him that I was concerned about the puppy’s ears as they looked very swollen and painful and that I wanted to take the puppy to the vet to get them checked.
“At first he was reluctant however after speaking to his father he agreed to let me take the puppy to the vet. He told me the puppy was seven weeks old when he got her and he had owned her for one week.”
At the vets Zena was examined and a vet confirmed that her ears were swollen with signs of infection. She was taken into possession by police and placed into the care of the RSPCA.
A witness statement from a veterinary surgeon said Zena would have endured suffering when these wounds were sustained and the days following this (timescale of approximately one week).
They added: “The suffering in the days after could have been reduced by adequate assessment and treatment, had Zena been presented to a veterinary surgeon earlier.
“I estimate that Zena has not had her needs met for approximately one week, or the time since sustaining the wounds to her ears, allegedly one week prior.
“A reasonable person would have presented this puppy to a veterinary surgeon on the day of purchase or ownership.”
Prior to the hearing Zena was signed over to the RSPCA.
Sentencing | each was ordered to pay £300 costs, a £120 fine and a £34 victim surcharge. A 24-month disqualification from keeping all animals for 24 months (expires December 2024).
Absolutely disgusting, the system is shocking, as anyone that abuses an animal, should be banned for life from keeping animals, as it will happen again to some poor defenseless animal. that poor puppy had to incur that.
Anyone who purchases A Cropped and Docked Dog.
Needs to make sure the (Correct Documentation Is Present, At The Time Of Purchase With The Animal. A European or American Passport, Detailing: The Correct Microchip Number. Vaccinations to Include: Rabies Vaccine. Flea and Tick Treatment. Signed Stamped by Veterinary Surgeon. The Animal also needs to be Over 12 Weeks Old Before Entering The UK. To allow the Rabies Vaccinations to be affective.
Failing Which: This Is The Result. You Are Vulnerable To Prosecution.