A Reading woman has been banned from keeping dogs for five years after failing to provide veterinary care for her seriously ill dog.
Florentina Radu of Zinzan Street, Reading, pleaded guilty to two animal welfare offences, following an investigation and prosecution by the RSPCA.
On January 5, an Inspector from the animal charity visited Radu’s home following a report about her collapsed and underweight German shepherd, Thor.
She was advised of the legal requirement to prevent animal suffering and issued a notice requiring her to take Thor to a vet within 24 hours.
The following day the charity reached out to Radu to check on Thor and offer further veterinary assistance, which was refused by Radu who said she wanted to try and make Thor better herself.
Attempts to contact Radu to follow up on concerns for Thor were ignored which led to Police seizing Thor, who was transported to a vet for examination and treatment.
The vet, who examined Thor, described the moment they first saw him. They said: “Thor was brought to the practice on January 8 by the RSPCA officers. He was carried into the practice on a stretcher. He did not try to stand, or lift his head, he urinated and defecated whilst recumbent.
“He had a low body condition score and sunken eyes. Multiple skin sores were noted, the most extensive on his shoulders. He was unable to lift his head or stand. When held up, knuckling was noted on his right fore leg. Deep pain and a withdrawal were present. Nails were all overgrown by approximately 1cm, the hair on the pads of his feet between his toes was also long.”
Despite the efforts of veterinary teams, Thor’s condition deteriorated and he was put to sleep with Radu’s consent on January 16.
RSPCA Inspector Sandy Barlow, who helped Thor to the vet after he was seized by police, said in a witness statement: “When I first saw Thor, he was very thin, with his skull, backbone, hips and ribs all prominent. He was laid down on his side and did not stand up when we entered the room.”
She later added: “It’s essential every owner shows kindness to every animal by ensuring the needs of those in their care are met. Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, animal owners and keepers are under a legal duty of care for the animals which they are responsible for, including making sure they receive appropriate vet care when they desperately need help.
“While Thor had seen a vet on 1 January, Radu’s slowness to act in response to the dog’s poor bodily condition and weight loss had caused unnecessary suffering for one month. That suffering continued later when failing to return for further vet care given the dog’s emaciated and collapsed condition.”
Alongside the five year disqualification from keeping dogs, she was also sentenced to a 12 month community order with 100 hours unpaid work. She was also ordered to pay £400 costs and a victim surcharge of £114 when she appeared at Reading Magistrates Court for sentencing on 18 July.
In mitigation, it was said she was remorseful and of good character with no recorded previous convictions.
