A man from Greenhithe, Kent, has been banned from keeping all animals for 10 years and ordered to carry out 180 hours of unpaid work after he left his dog at a home for at least two weeks – entirely unattended.
The female Staffie-type dog, Shadow, was emaciated when she was found at a property in Whittlesey in January this year.inspector Justin Stubbs, who attended the property after reports of the dog came in, was shocked at the state she was in. He contacted the police, who immediately seized Shadow on welfare grounds and placed her in the care of the RSPCA.
“SHADOW WAS A PARTICULARLY FRIENDLY DOG, ABSOLUTELY CRAVING ATTENTION”
“Shadow was emaciated. Every rib, vertebrae, collar and pelvic bones were clearly visible. She was, however, active and alert and clearly craving attention and company,” Justin said.
There were bowls in the house, but no food and little water. Despite the fact Shadow was confined in a small area of the kitchen, there were no faeces to be seen – suggesting she had either eaten it out of hunger, or that having no food meant she produced no waste. A RSPCA report states that she likely suffered for at least two weeks days due to lack of food.
Speaking after the case, Inspector Stubbs said, “Shadow’s owner had failed in the most basic needs, of supplying appropriate food and water, for a prolonged time. Shadow was a particularly friendly dog, absolutely craving attention. She was left for days, with no exercise, no interaction with human or another dog, and had nothing to do in a small, bare kitchen.
He added, “She was signed over and has been doing well in our care and has now been rehomed. I would like to express my thanks to the members of the public who had done all they could to help Shadow.”