Emaciated dog put down after being found in 'filthy' Merseyside home 'littered with faeces'
A man has been sentenced after his dog had to be put down after being found in an emaciated condition with a severe skin disease.
This article contains distressing images and details.
Four-year-old German Shepherd, Phoenix, also had almost complete hair loss as well as an ear infection, and was found in a “filthy” environment “littered with faeces”.
Daniel Godbold, 25, of Arnside Road in Huyton, appeared at Merseyside Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, December 2 for sentencing.
In a written statement, provided to the court, RSPCA Inspector Leanne Cooper, said she attended a property in Prescot on May 2 this year as a dog had been found in a very poor condition by police and by the housing association in attendance.
She said: “I was met by an overpowering smell of foul and dirty conditions from behind the closed door of the property. When opening the door I could see that the dog was immediately behind the door trying to push his way out.”
Inspector Cooper said that Phoenix was in a “very underweight body condition” and could see his ribs, lumbar vertebrae, pelvic bones and all his bony prominences were evident.
He also “appeared to have no body fat and very little in the way of fur.”
She added: “I could see that the environment was filthy and there was an overpowering smell of urine and faeces. The flat was littered with rubbish and faeces and there were lots of flies.”
Phoenix was taken to RSPCA Greater Manchester Animal Hospital for an examination and he was taken into possession by police and transferred into the care of the RSPCA.
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In the statement made by the vet who examined Phoenix, it was said that he weighed 20.1kg and his “body condition score was one out of nine according to WSAVA body condition score chart as his ribs, lumbar vertebrae, pelvic bones and all bony prominences are evident from a distance”.
Due to his poor body condition, he also had very minimal muscle mass especially over his hindlimbs which was making him weak and unable to walk or stand for long periods. The vet said he had a low temperature, was mildly dehydrated, both ears had a yeast infection and were inflamed and itchy.
The vet said Phoenix also had hair loss across his whole body with severe scabbing, redness and swelling of limbs and also had superficial pressure sores over pelvic bony prominences.
Phoenix was initially started on pain relief, broad spectrum antibiotics, ear cleaning, anti-septic foam for his skin and anti-inflammatory steroids. He was also started on a feeding plan which was regularly monitored and reassessed. Initially he appeared to be eating well however it was noticed that he was struggling to eat and food was falling out of his mouth.
Sadly, he deteriorated and concerns were raised for other conditions. The RSPCA said that due to him suffering and having a poor prognosis, multiple vets agreed that euthanasia was in Phoenix’s best interest.
Daniel Godbold pleaded guilty to three offences under the Animal Welfare Act - that he failed to meet Phoenix’s need to be protected from pain, suffering, injury and disease by failing to investigate and address his body condition, and his skin disease and associated hair loss, and he failed to meet his need for a suitable environment.
He was sentenced to a community order for 12 months, with 25 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days and was ordered to pay a fine of £120, victim surcharge of £48 and £500 costs. He was also disqualified from keeping all animals for 10 years.