A Bridgend man has been disqualified from keeping all animals for 10 years after he caused unnecessary suffering to a female bull breed dog.
Roxy was handed into Hope Rescue in Llanharan as a stray. She was emaciated and had pressure sores.
The charity contacted the RSPCA after information had come to them following an appeal which identified a possible owner.
Following veterinary care and rehabilitation at Hope Rescue, Roxy – now named Mia – has recovered fully and has been happily rehomed.
Jordan John Davies of Shwt, Nr Bettws, Bridgend, pleaded guilty to one offence under the Animal Welfare Act.
It was that he caused unnecessary suffering to Roxy/Mia, by failing to adequately investigate and address her weight loss and poor body condition.
On Tuesday 10 December at Swansea Magistrates’ Court Davies was sentenced to 12 weeks custody which was suspended for 12 months. He was also handed 10 Rehabilitation Activity requirement days, and was disqualified from keeping all animals for 10 years. He was also ordered to pay £1,200 towards costs. In mitigation it was heard that he was remorseful.
In a witness statement provided to the court from RSPCA Deputy Chief Inspector (DCI) Gemma Black, she said it was on 18 April of this year she attended Hope Rescue to make case enquiries relating to a stay dog in their care that had been presented to them on 8 April.
She said: “The dog was alert, but quiet and cuddled up in a bed within the reception area. She was extremely thin, with all bones clearly visible.
“Her hips, ribs, spine could easily be seen and felt. I saw that she had some sores on her leg that appeared like pressure sores.
“I learnt that she had so far gained 2kg of weight from when she had been handed into the centre as a stray on the 8 April 2024.”
The vet who examined Mia on 8 April, said in her statement that she was emaciated and her hips, spine and ribs were visible from afar. Mia was given a body score of one out of nine and when presented food ate ravenously. She was found to have sores all over her body and her skin and eyes were also infected.
The vet concluded that she was in a suffering state and would have been suffering for a minimum of eight weeks.
DCI Black visited Hope Rescue Kennels on 16 May and met Mia once again.
She said: “She had gained weight, and looked to be in great condition. She was bright and alert and clearly thriving.”
Following sentencing, DCI Black said: “We are very grateful to Hope Rescue for contacting us and helping with this investigation – and highlights our partnership working across the sector.
“It has been wonderful to see how with some TLC, appropriate diet and veterinary care Mia has completely transformed. I am delighted she has found her forever home.”
Head of Operations at Hope Rescue, Sara Rosser said: “We are really grateful to the RSPCA for taking on Mia’s case.
“The team here at Hope were all horrified when she arrived in such awful condition. Mia was cared for by our team at the rescue centre initially and then moved to one of our dedicated foster homes until she was well enough to be adopted.
“She is now living a happy and fulfilled life in Shropshire and her new owners report that she is full of energy and has completely come into her own with so much confidence and is the most loving dog.”
