Lifetime pet ban for woman who neglected her dog

A WOMAN from Barnstaple who neglected her pet dog has been given a lifetime ban on keeping animals.

Dianne Sparks, 44, of Spitfire Walk, appeared before Barnstaple magistrates and pleaded guilty to two counts of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal.

Sparks was also given seven days to find new homes for her pet goldfish and budgie.

The dog, Lucky, an adult female border collie cross-breed, was left without proper food or medical care for a month, the court heard.

The two charges, covering a period between June 15 and July 15, related to failure to check a chronic skin condition and failure to check a deteriorating physical condition due to a parasitic burn.

John Wyatt, prosecuting for the RSPCA, said: "When officers arrived at the address, the dog was in a very bad condition indeed. She had visible fleas sprawling all over her body. The dog was clearly very uncomfortable and was itching, scratching and biting itself constantly."

The dog was taken by the RSPCA to a vet who nursed her back to health at a cost of almost £600.

Mr Wyatt said: "The vet found that she had a chronic ear infection which had blocked her ear passages, as well as severe hair loss which left bare patches all over her body.

"The flea infestation was so bad that when the hair was parted, visible fleas jumped around."

Another factor in Lucky's illness was her dramatic weight loss, due to being fed solely on scraps of dry food. Sparks claimed she was struggling with money but was "too proud" to ask for help.

The dog weighed roughly 13kg (28.7lbs) when she was rescued which was about 40% below her normal body weight.

Sparks, who fully agreed to the RSPCA taking the dog, said she knew Lucky was in a bad condition but did not realise quite how bad.

She said: "I do know it was wrong and I did really care for her but things just got out of hand."

Sparks said the dog had "taken a back seat" while she struggled with other things.

"Other than saying I am really sorry, I do not know what else to say," she said.

The dog is now back to full health and is being re-housed.

Sparks must complete 100 hours unpaid community work and pay £50 costs.

● If you suspect an animal is being mistreated, you can phone the RSPCA on 0300 1234999. The North Devon Animal Ambulance is on 01237 476237.