Woman banned from keeping animals after dog found in pain

A Weston-super-Mare woman has been banned from keeping animals for four years after her dog was found "in pain and in desperate need of help to treat her skin condition". Kelly Godbeer, 40, of Alexandra Parade, was also ordered to pay £400 in costs and fined £80 when she was sentenced at Weston-super-Mare Magistrates' Court on Thursday, January 9.

Officers for the RSPCA found one-year-old bulldog Cookie with open sores on her neck area, as well as fur loss on her legs and feet, after being called to an address in Alexandra Parade last May. Despite her skin condition, Cookie had not been taken to a vet and was instead treated with online products.

RSPCA Inspector Hayley Lawrence, who investigated for the animal welfare charity, said: “Our plea to all animal owners is to make sure they always receive care and treatment from veterinary experts when they need it. Cookie was clearly in pain and in desperate need of help to treat her skin condition.

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“Pets are completely reliant on their owners to ensure their needs are met and they are kept safe and healthy. Owning an animal is a privilege - and ensuring appropriate veterinary care is a key part of the responsibility we have towards our pets.

“If people are struggling to cover the costs, there are a number of charities which provide help for veterinary care for pet owners in genuine financial difficulties. People can also work with their vet to spread the cost of treatment.”

Thankfully, Cookie has now fully recovered in the care of the RSPCA. In mitigation, Godbeer, who admitted breeding dogs but said she did not make a profit, said she was remorseful and no longer has dogs.

Pet neglect in Somerset is sadly among the worst in England. There were 951 reports of neglect to the RSPCA's emergency cruelty line in Somerset between January and September last year- a 28% increase on the same period in 2023. This makes Somerset the county with the third highest increase in England.

If you have animal welfare concerns, you can make a report to the RSPCA online.