The RSCPA have highlighted the plight of three-year-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier Betty, after three people have been handed ten-year bans on owning animals.
Betty collapsed at a flat in Ferdinand Drive, Peckham, the week before being taken to an animal hospital by her owners Rosanne Penfold and Gareth Fitton. Thankfully, she is now in the care of a loving new owner.
Shane Dixon, 44, from Peckham, told the court he had been looking after the dog for his neighbour after she moved out of the area to live in Essex.
His ex-neighbours Rosanne Penfold and Gareth Fitton, both of Brightwell Avenue, Southend-on-Sea, pleaded guilty to two offences under the Act and were handed 16-week prison sentences which were suspended for 12 months. They appeared for sentencing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on September 2.
Dixon pleaded guilty to failing to address Betty’s emaciation and was given a 14-week sentence, suspended for 12 months, and he was told to complete 100 hours of unpaid work.
The RSPCA inspector told the hearing that she went to collect Betty from Blue Cross Animal Hospital in Pimlico last March after the dog collapsed at a flat in Peckham, a week before.
She described Betty as “very thin”, with her ribs, spine and hips easily visible, while the fur on her lower legs was stained in urine.
A vet at the hospital who examined the three-year-old dog said Betty was suffering with muscle wastage and scored her one out of nine in a body condition rating – considered to be a state of emaciation.
Betty also had a wound on her tail that had scabbed over and she was suffering from ulcers on her feet and overgrown nails.
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The vet said: “Betty’s suffering could have been avoided by providing proper care for her, including food and water, as well as clean accommodation. She should have been taken to a vet to be checked if there were any concerns about her health.”
The court heard that Penfold and Fitton had left the dog in the care of Dixon, who was Penfold’s neighbour, after she left South London to live in Essex. But Dixon claimed he only went “occasionally” to the property to let Betty and some other dogs out and he said he was being blamed for the situation.
In mitigation the court was told that Penfold suffered from disabilities and had been the victim of domestic abuse. Fitton and Dixon were said to be remorseful about their actions.
All three defendants will each have to pay a contribution to costs of £650 and victim surcharges of £154.
Betty has since made a good recovery in the care of the RSPCA and has been rehomed to a loving new owner. Speaking after the sentencing, the inspector said: “Whatever arrangement was made to care for Betty was neglected so badly that she collapsed at this flat and required hospital treatment.
“The defendants had failed in their duty of care for the dog, but thankfully Betty (pictured now) has recovered and the story has a happy ending, as she is doing so well in her new home.”
