Negligent owner of emaciated dog banned from owning pets for ten years

A NEGLIGENT dog owner from Coventry has been banned from keeping a pet for ten years after her dog was found emaciated and in ill health.

Michaela Lorraine Turnbull, 29, of Sandythorpe, admitted an animal welfare offence following an investigation and prosecution by the RSPCA.

Her dog Bruiser was underweight with an untreated eye condition after Turnbull repeatedly failed to get him much-needed vet treatment.

RSPCA Inspector Ben Jones persuaded Turnbull to let him take Bruiser to a vet after repeatedly and unsuccessfully encouraging her to do so.

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When Bruiser was rescued his ribs, spine and pelvis were clearly visible, his ears appeared swollen, his eyes had mucus around them, and his front paws had open sores.

The fur on his legs were stained a yellow colour and his pelvis area had scars on both sides.

In the RSPCA report, the vet who examined Bruiser said: “In my professional opinion on a veterinary basis, Bruiser did not have his needs met due to the failure to provide a suitable diet, as noted through his severely poor body conditioning score.

“Due to the loss of body condition, he was therefore not protected from pain and disease as this led to entropion, the rolling of the eyelid margin. Similarly Bruiser was not protected from pain through ear inflammation and infection.”

With an appropriate diet, Bruiser gained 1.8kg in 6 days – but was later euthanised due to ongoing health issues.

Mr Jones said: “Animals deserve to live healthy lives and are reliant on owners to be given everything they need to survive, including an appropriate diet and vet care if they need medical treatment.”

Alongside the ten year animal ban, which she can not appeal for five years, Turnbull was sentenced to a 12 month Community Order with 15 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days and 150 unpaid hours work. She must also pay £350 and a £114 victim surcharge.