Telford man fined for not taking emaciated dog to vets

Brett Lees' husky was found in a skeletal condition weighing less than half its ideal bodyweight.

Lees, 28, of Woodrows, Woodside, admitted not taking responsibility to ensure the needs of an animal when he appeared at Telford Magistrates Court on June 11.

The case was adjourned until yesterday for sentencing.

As well as his fine, Lees was ordered to pay a contribution to costs of £200 and a victim surcharge of £20.

He was also disqualified from keeping or owning dogs for two years.

Inspectors visited Lees's home on February 1, Telford Magistrates Court was told.

Lees admitted the dog was very thin and said it hadn't eaten for a week and had been off its food.

Mr Roger Price, prosecuting on behalf of the RSPCA, said: "Despite its long coat, its bones could clearly been seen.

"He said he hadn't taken it to the vet because he was on Jobseekers Allowance which had been stopped so he couldn't afford it."

The female Husky weighed around 6.4 kilos instead of an ideal weight of around 15 kilos and had a 27.5cm waist.

It rated one out of nine on a body condition scale where one is emaciated and nine is obese.

The dog was also dehydrated, had a discharge from its left eye and a heart murmur, but vets found no underlying disease that could account for its condition.

Within 48 hours the dog's weight increased by 2.5 kilos and its eye problems and heart murmur had resolved.

When asked, Lees confirmed the dog had not had any sickness or diarrhoea that could account for its weight loss.

The dog was placed with a foster family and has now reached around 15.65 kilograms.

Mr James Wade, for Lees, said "His benefits had been sanctioned, he could barely afford to feed the dog, let alone pay for vets' bills.

"He had this dog from when it was a puppy, it was his best friend

"He understands he has let his best friend down and he has to be punished for that."