Heartbreak as Plymouth dogs left in appalling condition

A Plymouth man who neglected two dogs has been banned from keeping animals for seven years.

Kerys Glynn Moore, 28 and from Tamerton Foliot Road, Plymouth, Devon was prosecuted after RSPCA inspectors discovered his two dogs in appalling condition. The animal welfare brought the case and Moore was found guilty following a short hearing on September 26 which he failed to attend.

Plymouth Magistrates' Court heard how two crossbreed dogs were rescued from Moore's home by inspectors from the RSPCA. Both were struggling with their health and not getting the care they needed.

Marley was extremely thin and had a large grapefruit size growth on the side of his back left leg.

Ollie, a larger tan crossbreed dog, was in very thin bodily condition and had a skin complaint to the back and hindquarters.

In their report, the vet who examined the dogs said: "Marley was underweight weighing 15 kilograms with a body condition score of two out of nine, a healthy weight would be four, as well as some dental disease

"He had a large subcutaneous mass approximately 12 centimetres by 12 centimetres with ulceration on the surface.

"Ollie was presented with a weight of 18 kilograms and his body condition score also of two out of nine. His coat was poor with areas of hair loss.

"Both animals presented failed to show freedom from hunger as their diet was not providing adequate nutrition to provide full health. This could have been avoided by feeding an adequate nutritional balanced diet."

On October 17 Moore was sentenced at Plymouth Magistrates Court. Alongside the animal disqualification order, which he cannot appeal for four years, he was also ordered to pay an £80 fine and £200 costs. He was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £32.

Guidance from the RSPCA:

Preventing animals suffering

This means enforcement agencies and the RSPCA's inspectors can now act by advising and educating owners before their pets suffer. If this advice is not followed or the animal's needs are not being met then action can be taken whether through a formal warning or in some cases a prosecution.

What does the law actually say?

Section 9 of the Animal Welfare Act places a duty of care on people to ensure they take reasonable steps in all the circumstances to meet the welfare needs of their animals to the extent required by good practice.

What does this mean for those responsible for animals?

• need for a suitable environment
• need for a suitable diet
• need to be able to exhibit normal behaviour patterns
• need to be housed with, or apart, from other animals
• need to be protected from pain, suffering, injury and disease.

Find out what your pet needs on the RSPCA's advice and welfare pages.

Click here to join PlymouthLive on WhatsApp and we'll send breaking news and top stories directly to your phone. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.