Sharon Sarin’s West Highland Terrier, Star was missing the majority of her fur, and had severe ear and eye disease
The condition of West Highland Terrier Star, which led to Sharon Sarin, of Wallsend, being banned from owning animals for 15 years(Image: RSPCA)
A woman from Wallsend has been banned from keeping animals for 15 years after the RSPCA discovered her dog’s chronic health conditions. Sharon Sarin’s West Highland Terrier Star was missing the majority of her fur, and had severe ear and eye disease, after not seeing a vet for 10 years.
Sarin appeared for sentencing at a hearing at Newcastle Magistrates’ Court last Friday, June 27, having previously pleaded guilty to one Animal Welfare Act offence following an RSPCA prosecution.
RSPCA Inspector Rowena Proctor went to Sarin’s house at Bodmin Close in Wallsend on December 11 last year, with the charity receiving a call about the welfare of a dog which lived there.
In written evidence to the court, Inspector Proctor said: “Sharon brought a West Highland Terrier type dog downstairs who she told me was called Star. She had fur loss across the majority of her body.
“Her legs and underside were completely bald, her nails were extremely overgrown and her eyes were gunky. There was a yeasty smell coming from the dog, and Sharon explained that she had been in this condition ‘for years’.”
“She advised me that she had owned Star for around ten years and believed that she was around three or four when she first got her. She told me that it had been several years since she last saw a vet.”
Sarin confirmed she owned and was responsible for Star, and gave the inspector permission for her to be taken for a veterinary examination. She also gave her permission to look at the dog’s medical history, which showed that she had not been to a vet since 2015.
The examining vet recommended that she be put to sleep to prevent further suffering, which was agreed to by Sarin. The examination showed dental disease, abnormal discharge in both eyes and infections in and around both of the ear canals.
The condition of West Highland Terrier Star, which led to Sharon Sarin, of Wallsend, being banned from owning animals for 15 years(Image: RSPCA)
It was clear that she had poor muscle control in all four limbs, evidenced by her reluctance to move, as well as urine and faeces staining in the pelvic area.
The vet, who gave evidence in the case, said: “The immediate impression was of a dog who was uncomfortable, she moved tentatively and seemed apprehensive about handling. The most striking observation from distance was a marked absence of hair over her body and matting of hair over her eyes.
“The owner had stated to Inspector Proctor that the dog had suffered with skin issues for several years and I would deem this to be an accurate assessment. I believe she had been suffering for a period of many weeks at least with the ear issues, most likely months with the ocular issues and likely years with the skin issues.
“The prognosis for Star was bleak. I considered that it would not be possible to give her a good quality of life in a reasonable time frame and that she was likely to continue to suffer the effects of her chronically untreated conditions regardless of intervention.”
Sarin, who will not be able to contest the disqualification order for ten years, was also given a 12-month community order with 15 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement Days and 100 hours of unpaid work, as well as being ordered to pay £1,152 in costs.
After the hearing, Inspector Proctor added: “When I first saw Star I was taken aback by her appearance. Apart from a few wisps of hair on either side of her body she was almost entirely bald and smelt strongly of infection.
“She was an elderly dog who unfortunately had suffered for a long time from a number of chronic health conditions for which no help had been sought. We all have a responsibility to the animals we take on and that includes seeking timely and appropriate veterinary intervention.”
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