Thai’s plight was alerted to us by an Environmental Health Officer in April 2011.
They reported a female dog with a toe which was so swollen the dog was unable to put any weight on it.
Offering help and advice
A social services support worker had been working with the owner of the dog to get her the right veterinary care, but had become increasingly concerned as the toe worsened.
Inspector Susan Haywood visited the house of a 42-year-old man to check on the dog. She discovered a Rottweiler cross named Thai who was clearly in considerable discomfort. The area around the dog’s claw was very swollen and quite obviously sore.
Thai had been licking and chewing the wound constantly in an attempt to relieve her pain.
Failing to provide proper veterinary care
The owner agreed to allow Susan to take Thai to a vet where it was discovered that poor Thai had a malignant, aggressive tumour.
Thai’s owner had been aware of the condition since early March when Thai was prescribed antibiotics. The vet had informed Thai’s owner that the condition could be treated through amputation and pain relief if antibiotics were unsuccessful.
However when the antibiotics failed to work Thai had not returned to the vets for further treatment. Her owner claimed it was because he didn't have the money.
Prosecuting for failing to provide adequate care
We prosecuted Thai's owner with causing unnecessary suffering by failing to provide veterinary care under the Animal Welfare Act.
He pleaded guilty at Northampton Magistrates Court. He received a 12 month community order with 12 months supervision, a requirement of 180 hours of unpaid work and £250 to be deducted from his benefits to cover costs. He was disqualified from keeping animals for five years.
Thai fully recovered from her ordeal in our animal centre however sadly, Thai was later found to have bone cancer and she had to be put to sleep.
Your support
Without your support we would not be able to investigate and prosecute in cases like this.
There are many ways you can support us, including making a donation to help make sure we're always on hand to rescue animals in nedd.
If you're concerned about the welfare of an animal, please call the RSPCA 24-hour cruelty line: 0300 1234 999.