Emaciated Boxer Lola put down after man 'caused unnecessary suffering to dog he loved'
A man has been banned from keeping animals after he failed to get treatment for his lame and emaciated elderly dog.
Christopher John Robert Newton, 37, pleaded guilty to "causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal" after his 14-year-old pooch had to be put down by the RSPCA, Teesside Magistrates' Court heard. Prosecutor Tyler Plunkett told magistrates on February 1, Cleveland Police attended the defendant's Hartlepool's address in relation to another matter and found a brown and white boxer-type dog named Lola.
Mr Plunkett said Lola was emaciated and when officers offered her water they noticed she had a "significant" limp and a bad cough. The RSPCA were called and seized Lola however, she never recovered.
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The prosecutor said: "The RSPCA took Lola to the vets where she was examined. She is described as having a body composition score of two out of five. She was noticed to have lameness in one of her limbs which was sensitive to touch. She was also noted to have a right sided heart murmur and a significant cough."
The court heard Lola's cough was the result of an underlying cardiac issue which had also caused her to be underweight. She was also diagnosed with severe orthopaedic pain and heart disease.
Mr Plunkett added: "Unfortunately Lola deteriorated and the RSPCA were given the advice that the best thing for Lola was for her to be euthanised." The Middlesbrough court heard the dog was put down and Newton was interviewed by police.
He told officers Lola was initially in the care of another family member who is due to face trial for "causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal" in January. He said he'd been looking after Lola for over a year and said he thought his family member had called the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) to arrange an appointment.
'Buried his head in the sand'
He said he was given tablets by the family member and gave these to Lola but accepted he knew she couldn't walk. Mr Plunkett said Newton failed to act and a video of Lola limping was shown in court. Newton appeared visibly upset throughout the hearing.
In mitigation, the the court heard Lola was 14-year-old and her medical issues were due to her old age. It was claimed Newton spoke with his family member repeatedly about his concerns and was told vet treatment had been arranged. The dog was not registered at the vet in his name.
The court heard Newton "loved" the dog but "buried his head in the sand". It was claimed he fed and walked her and was her primary care giver.
Magistrates handed the Parton Street resident a 15-month community order and banned him from from keeping animals for two years. He must complete 20 rehabilitation days and comply with a mental health treatment requirement.
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