Ten-year ban for owner of dog found 'dumped' at Wirral beauty spot

Carys Scott was also given a 12-month community order and told to pay £194 costs following a hearing at Wirral Magistrates Court today (Wednesday, November 13). 

Scott was prosecuted by the RSPCA after admitting she had failed to do anything about her dog Marlow’s weight loss or inability to walk or drink properly.   

The court heard that the animal welfare charity was alerted after Marlow - an adult XL Bully - was taken into the Friends of Birkenhead Kennels on March 23 this year in a collapsed state by a woman who said she had found him abandoned at Port Sunlight River Park.

The dog, who had been named Shadrach by the kennels volunteers, had mutilated ears and was so emaciated that staff were unable to determine his breed and had no idea what his real name was.

During a vet's examination, Marlow was given a body condition rating of one - the highest being nine - and put to sleep on March 27.

Marlow weighed only 17.5kg (38.5 pounds). His ribs, lumbar vertebrae and pelvic bones were all prominent, He had been wrapped inside a duvet and was unable to stand or walk.  

Skeletal puppy Marlow was found ‘too weak to stand’ at Port Sunlight River Park on March 23 this year (Image: Friends of Birkenhead Kennels)

The vet who examined him said there were pressure sores on his wrists, ankles and hips - which confirmed he’d been lying down over a long period - and healing puncture marks on his nose.

Reduced neurological reflexes were noted on all four limbs and both ears were inflamed and necrotic where they had been cropped - a painful procedure that is illegal in England and Wales.   

Marlow was put on a feeding plan and given probiotics to aid digestion but sadly his condition did not improve and he was put to sleep by a vet to prevent further suffering.

Scott, 31, of New Chester Road in Birkenhead was interviewed by RSPCA Inspector Joynes. She told him that Marlow had lived with her for three years previously as he had been owned by her former partner, but the dog had bitten a family member and been rehomed.

She said Marlow had been ‘dumped’ back at her address in Mid February this year and she had taken him in. She said she kept the dog in her kitchen and had fed him and helped him to stand but he was unable to walk. He was eating, but wouldn’t drink, and when he tried to move he kept falling over.

She told Inspector Joynes she didn’t want to take Marlow to a vet because of the ban on XL Bully dogs and financial limitations. She said she had tried to call the PDSA but couldn’t get him registered and admitted the story about him being found at the park had been made up.

A vet who gave evidence for the case, said: "Marlow was in very poor condition reportedly weighing 17kg on the post mortem examination. The average male entire XL bully is reported to weigh over 35kg. 

"Regardless of the cause of the loss of body condition I would expect a reasonable owner to notice and act upon this. Ms Scott noticed the dog was in poor body condition, yet failed to seek veterinary advice or attention.

"It is my opinion that Marlow suffered unnecessarily in Ms Scott’s care. I am concerned that the dog arrived into her care in mid February recognised to be in poor condition, yet help was not sought until March 23.

"Therefore Marlow suffered and deteriorated over a minimum period of thirty days to a point where he was emaciated, collapsed and unable to rise. 

"Regardless of the cause of the poor body condition or any limitations in place, help should have been sought much sooner to alleviate his suffering."

A post mortem, carried out at the RSPCA’s request, concluded there were no obvious gastrointestinal diseases seen that could explain Marlow’s emaciated body condition.

Chris McMaster, defending, described Scott as: "a woman of, hitherto, good character" adding: "This is an extremely sad case. The dog once belonged to Miss Scott's former partner and been re-homed. It was later dumped back on Miss Scott's doorstep.

"Miss Scott was not in a position to care for the dog and is profoundly sorry that she did not take the steps that were needed this time. 

"She has no intention of taking on another animal as she has issues to deal with and two children to look after."

Scott was also told to carry out a 12 month Community Order and complete ten Rehabilitation Activity Requirement Days.  

Passing sentence, chair of bench Thomas Howarth, said: "This offence is very, very sad and we recognise that your part was at the end of the neglect.

"We give you a credit for an early guilty plea and recognise that is the first time you have appeared in court."

RSPCA inspector Anthony Joynes told the Globe: "This was an incredibly sad case where Marlow was failed by the people responsible for his basic welfare.

"Being starved to the point of muscle atrophy and collapse is just unacceptable. We may never know the full story of what actually happened and why Marlow was in the condition he was in but I'm hoping this investigation and conviction means that the suffering he endured hasn't gone completely unanswered."