RSPCA visited a Carmarthenshire farm to check on the health of a female collie after receiving a report that a dog had been seen with bones visible in its leg
Floss was found living on a west Wales farm with ‘traumatic injuries’ and taken for immediate treatment after a visit from the RSPCA (Image: RSPCA)
A dog was found on a Welsh farm with “traumatic injuries” including an amputation of one of her paws and “significant muscle wastage”, a court heard.
In January of this year RSPCA deputy chief inspector Gemma Cooper visited a farm in Carmarthenshire where it had been reported a dog with bones visible in its leg was living. The black and white female collie – named Floss – was being kept in a garage attached to a house. DCI Cooper was told that Floss had been in a dog fight and had been missing for a couple of weeks before returning to the farm the previous day.
“At the back of the garage was a black and white, female collie dog laying on blankets with her back left foot sloughed off and all the bones exposed,” she said.
“The bone in her front left elbow was also exposed and she has multiple puncture wounds to her other legs. She was extremely subdued and made no attempt to move.”
DCI Cooper explained that Floss needed to go to a vet and she was taken for immediate treatment. Stay informed on Carms news by signing up to our newsletter here.
The vet who treated Floss said she had “obvious traumatic injuries including traumatic amputation of the left hind paw”, whilst the elbow bone was exposed through the skin in the left forelimb.
Additionally, skin punctures and lacerations were also visible on the left forelimb and right hindlimb.
“This animal was cardiovascularly stable at presentation and demonstrated no symptoms of dehydration,” said the vet, who added that Floss had a body condition score of two out of five (under ideal) with significant muscle wastage.
“This animal demonstrated no overt fear to handling and remained in a quiet but alert demeanour throughout my involvement with her.”
Floss was admitted to hospital for stabilisation and investigations. Following treatment and surgery – which cost £6,000 – Floss recovered from her injuries and was signed over to the Dog’s Trust. She has since been rehomed.
Floss has since recovered following surgery and found a new home(Image: RSPCA)
Dyfrig John Davies, aged 64, of St Clears, Carmarthenshire, appeared at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Friday (September 19) where he pleaded guilty to one offence under the Animal Welfare Act.
Davies failed to ensure the needs of the dog by not ensuring she was protected from pain, suffering, injury and disease by failing to get proper, necessary and timely veterinary treatment for her leg injuries.
In mitigation the court heard that Davies was remorseful. He had arranged for a gamekeeper to shoot Floss but was let down and accepted should have taken her to them, or taken Floss to a vets. It was heard that this was a one-off and he has learned from it.
Davies was sentenced to an 18-week prison sentence which was suspended for 12 months. He was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £154 and costs of £400.
The defendant was also asked to consider making a personal donation towards the RSPCA towards the costs of the dog’s treatment.