Wirral man jailed after he failed to treat dog's 'melon'-sized tumour

A DOG had to be put to sleep after her Wirral owner failed to get vet treatment for his pet's 'melon'-sized tumour.

Mark Smith, 48, and Rachael Johnson, 47, from New Ferry, were prosecuted by the RSPCA after their elderly Staffordshire Bull Terrier called Skylar was found with a large ulcerated mammary tumour hanging between her legs.

The 14-year-old dog was stained in blood after she had tried to eat the mass, which a vet said had been growing for months or even years. 

At a sentencing hearing at Wirral Magistrates Court on Wednesday (October 23), Smith was jailed for 34 weeks: 16 weeks for one offence contrary to the Animal Welfare Act 2006, and 18 weeks for breaching a suspended sentence order imposed on January 12 this year.

Johnson was given a 16-week prison sentence - suspended for 12 months - and ordered to complete 20 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement Days and a nine month alcohol treatment requirement.

Skylar's owner failed to get vet treatment for 'melon'-sized tumour (Image: RSPCA) The couple, who had both pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to one charge of causing unnecessary suffering to Skylar by failing to provide veterinary treatment, were also banned from keeping animals for ten years. 

The court heard how RSPCA Animal Rescue Officer, Katie Glenn, had gone to the couple’s home on Thorburn Road in New Ferry on February 8 this year after the charity had received concerning reports about a dog with a burst abscess.

In her written statement to the court the officer said: "When I knocked at the address Mark Smith answered the door and showed me into the living room area. 

"It was here I saw Skylar. She was lying down on an old mattress where it was clear she had been licking and eating at the burst abscess on her abdomen area for a while. 

"I asked the owner how long the dog had been like this. He said a while, but the abscess had only burst today.

"He confirmed the dog has not been to the vets in the past four years as he could not afford it."

The court was told Smith agreed to let the RSPCA take Skylar for urgent veterinary treatment and she was signed over into the charity’s care because of her condition.

Smith said he understood that a vet might recommend putting her to sleep and that the RSPCA might need to speak to him further about her condition.

The vet who examined Skylar said she needed to be put to sleep immediately, such was the severity of her condition. In her written evidence to the court she said: “Skylar’s large mammary mass will have been uncomfortable and affected her ability to move about normally. 

Skylar's owner failed to get vet treatment for 'melon'-sized tumour (Image: RSPCA)

“The mass hung between her legs and swung when she tried to walk, affecting the placement of her limbs and her overall balance. Furthermore, it will have been difficult for her to lay down to sleep, to get food/water and to play.

“The size of the mass makes it likely that it had been growing over several months or even years.

"As the mass has grown, increased blood supply would have grown to the mass. The next stage of progression is the ulceration of the mass before rupturing independently or through the dog self traumatising it due to the pain and discomfort.

“In my opinion, I believe the mass is likely to have grown over several months, but has more recently become necrotic and ulcerated in a minimum timeframe of one week.

"The self trauma likely occurred within one to two days; it is in this final stage that Skylar will have suffered most severely."

The vet said she would expect a reasonable dog owner to have any lump that was continually growing, checked by a veterinary surgeon - and urgently should it become ulcerated or bleed. Skylar’s owner didn’t do this and also failed to seek treatment when she began self traumatising the lump.

For her to display this behaviour, it is likely the severity of pain and discomfort felt was unbearable, said the vet.

During the course of the investigation it was established that Johnson was also responsible for looking after Skylar and was interviewed about the situation. 

Smith was interviewed by RSPCA Inspector Naomi Norris and told her that Skylar had never shown any signs of pain. He said he had provided adequate care for her and tried to do his best but he couldn’t afford veterinary fees. In her interview Johnson said Skylar didn't yelp or appear to be in pain and seemed happy.

Speaking after the hearing, RSPCA Inspector Norris said: "Skylar was in a very bad way and it was an end-of-life situation, which might not have been the case had her owners investigated her condition much earlier.

"Her deteriorating health and melon-size tumour was plain to see, and in the days before she was put to sleep she would have been in considerable pain and distress. 

"We would urge pet owners to act swiftly and get prompt veterinary advice if their pet is showing signs of ill health.

"For those who find themselves struggling, there are many reputable animal welfare charities who can offer help and advice and we encourage anybody in a difficult situation to seek support.”