Heartbreaking pictures show moment 'sweet' Bulldog was found in a pool of blood in a bath after being beaten by owner
This is the “sweet” and “friendly” Bulldog who was left lying in a pool of her own blood after she was beaten by an abusive owner.
Smiler the American Bulldog was found barely conscious, lying in a bath with a bloodied tea towel on her head after apparently being doused in bleach.
She had suffered multiple injuries including two large wounds on her head which needed stitches, bruising on her head and a loose tooth that had to be removed.
Her owner Gary David Bell, 50, from Keighley, West Yorkshire, has been jailed for 16 weeks and banned from keeping animals for life.
The case is just one of many that saw the RSPCA rescue stricken animals last year.
The 50-year-old was arrested on suspicion of beating his pet and charged with three offences under the Animal Welfare Act.
He denied the offences and was convicted following a trial of causing unnecessary suffering, inflicting trauma and failing to provide veterinary attention.
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Bradford Magistrates' Court heard RSPCA inspector, Sarah Bagley, found Smiler last year after attending Bell’s address.
She said: “I went to Bell’s home with police after having a couple of dealings with him about his dog Smiler... and becoming increasingly concerned about her.
“Initially there was no reply, then myself and one of the police officers heard heavy breathing through the ground floor bathroom window.
"I was horrified to see Smiler in the bath with a bloodied tea towel on her head.”
A friend of Bell’s let the inspectors into the house where they found Smiler barely conscious, with a bottle of human shampoo nearby.
It also appeared that Flash household cleaner had been used on the defenceless dog.
Smiler was rushed to a local vets where she had treatment and while Bell apparently claimed she had cut her head on barbed wire during a walk in the woods, a vet said the injuries weren’t accidental.
Smiler spent a week having treatment and is now recovering ahead of hopefully being adopted at some point.
“She is recovering well, gaining weight, her skin and coat are improving and she seems to be a much brighter, happier dog,” said Sarah.
“Smiler is currently being cared for by the great staff at RSPCA Sheffield where everyone absolutely loves her and she will be put up for adoption soon.
“She is a very sweet dog who loves people and I can’t wait to hear that she’s thriving in a loving new home.”