Blackpool woman given 15 year animal ban after leaving dog with chronic skin condition

A woman from Blackpool who failed to seek veterinary help for her dog who suffered ‘weeks of suffering’ has been banned from keeping animals for 15 years.

Bull breed Milo was found with bleeding wounds and hair loss when he was removed by a local authority dog warden from a property in Platt Street last October.

The RSPCA says the case highlights how important it is to seek timely veterinary intervention if pets become unwell.  

Milo’s owner has now been banned from keeping animals for 15 years following a prosecution by the animal welfare charity. Stacey Scott, 47, pleaded guilty to one offence contrary to the Animal Welfare Act 2006 when she appeared at Preston Magistrates Court last Wednesday (26 February).

The court was told that RSPCA Inspector Carl Larsson was contacted by the council’s dog warden Gemma White after Milo had been removed from Scott’s house on welfare grounds on 30 October.

The vet who saw the dog later that day and gave written evidence in the case, said: “Milo had a body condition score of 3/9, and muscle wastage over the hindlimbs. His fur and coat was in generally poor condition with patches of alopecia apparent. All over there was dermatitis, with open areas that were bleeding upon examination.

“Both eyes were partially closed with discharge present bilaterally. The skin around the eyes was inflamed and swollen. Both ears were inflamed, red, narrowed and showed signs of infection deep in both canals. I am certain this dog had suffered both pain and distress.

‘’The skin condition could have been diagnosed and treated at a much earlier stage if he had been taken to a veterinary surgeon and saved him weeks of suffering. The dog will have been in a great deal of pain with his skin and this could have been prevented if appropriate veterinary attention had been given sooner.''

Scott was visited at her home by the officers, where she agreed to sign Milo over into the charity’s care and was told that an investigation into what happened to him would now take place. In her interview she said Milo’s skin had looked sore for about a month but he had always had a “sad” face. Scott admitted she should have taken him to a vet but confirmed he had never been to one in her care and she didn’t have the means to do so. 

Magistrates also handed Scott a 12 month community order with 100 hours of unpaid work and ordered her to pay costs of £250 and a victim surcharge of £114. She will not be able to contest the disqualification order for ten years.

Speaking after the sentencing hearing Inspector Larsson said: “There were many obvious signs of ill health which should have prompted Scott to seek veterinary advice. Most noticeable was Milo’s chronic skin condition which had caused substantial fur loss and open wounds where he had bitten and scratched himself. There was discharge coming from both eyes and his ears in particular were sensitive to touch.

“Any reasonably competent owner would have sought the appropriate veterinary care for these issues but Scott failed to do what was right by her dog and he suffered as a result.

“Throughout the year we work very closely with the council’s dog warden service on animal welfare issues and I’d like to thank Gemma for all her help and assistance with this joint investigation which was crucial in helping us to bring this case before the courts.”

Milo received ongoing care for a number of health issues but sadly his condition did not improve in the weeks that followed and he was put to sleep by a vet on medical grounds to prevent further suffering.