A TALYBONT woman has been fined after she admitted causing unnecessary suffering to a dog who was ‘so skinny’ that ‘bones were visible across her body’.
29-year-old Emma Marie Stevens, of Maes Y Deri, Talybont, Aberystwyth, pleaded guilty on Monday (Oct 10) for offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
She was fined a total of £730 at Aberystwyth Magistrates’ Court – £200 for two charges, a victim surcharge of £30 and court co sts of £300.
The court heard that the defendant, who is the owner of the dog in question, brown-and-white female crossbred boxer Bella, admitted failing to investigate and address the cause of the dog’s poor body condition or her weight loss.
She also pleaded guilty to keeping the animal in a glass conservatory during hot weather without the provision of water – a conviction which the RSPCA says is an ‘important reminder’ of the dangers of leaving dogs confined in hot, enclosed spaces.
The RSPCA was called with concern in June and arrived to find Bella living in the conservatory of an unoccupied property, without water, while her owner was in the process of moving out. She was taken straight to a vet who said she was dehydrated and emaciated – weighing just 11kg.
Bella, fortunately, has now found a new loving home, and is settling in well.
RSPCA inspector Holly Brown said: “The poor dog was so skinny, and bones were visible across her body. It is horrible to think what she went through.
“Her body condition was very poor, and the owner failed to address this.
“Leaving a dog in a space like a conservatory is very dangerous. This sad case is an important reminder as to the dangers of leaving dogs in hot, enclosed spaces.
“This suffering was completely unnecessary, but thankfully the dog has now found a loving new home, and is settling in well. Her new family are absolutely lovely and are very taken with her – so thankfully this story has a happy ending.”
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