Pontlottyn Father And Son Banned From Keeping Animals After Whippet Treatment
A father and son from Pontlottyn have been banned from keeping animals for five years, because of the poor way they treated a Whippet type dog, named Sandy.
Paul Thomas (d.o.b 14/08/1970) and Steven Andrew Thomas (d.o.b 11/07/1990), both of River Road, Pontlottyn, admitted a series of Animal Welfare Act offences at Merthyr Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 22 February.
RSPCA Cymru arrived at the property in October, and found a thin dog, whose hips and spine were prominent, and with sore open wounds on display. It was also found that the dog had diseased ears, and a flea infestation, which the pair did not take steps to address.
It was found that Sandy suffered unnecessarily, as a consequence of the pair failing to investigate and address causes of him being so underweight, and the dog’s poor bodily condition.
Sandy’s condition was so bad that the dog had to be put to sleep on welfare grounds, following veterinary advice.
Both men were banned from keeping any animal for a five-year period. In addition, they were each handed a 12-week curfew, between the hours of 7pm and 7am, and told to pay £150 in costs and a £85 victim surcharge.
RSPCA Inspector Izzi Hignell said:
“When I arrived at the property and saw poor Sandy, I was told the dog had not been to the vets for many, many years – which shocked me, given his condition.
“Sandy was in a desperately poor state; worryingly thin, and his hips and spine very prominent. He also had two open wounds which looked exceptionally sore.
“Unfortunately, on veterinary advice, Sandy had to be put to sleep – which highlights the truly shocking state the poor dog was in.
“The outcome of this case highlights the consequences of failing to look after your pet properly, and it’s so sad that Sandy’s life was lost after the way he was treated.”
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