A dog was left to suffer for weeks until she was nothing more than “skin and bone”.
Tobias Rae, 22, of Littledale Road, Wallasey, Wirral, pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal and was sentenced at Liverpool Magistrates' Court yesterday, Tuesday, May 23. The case related to the treatment of a two-year-old cane corso type of dog called Dottie.
The court heard that Rae also owned another shepherd type dog called Diesel as well as a ferret. After the RSPCA was alerted about the wellbeing of Dottie, an officer attended the property for a first visit but was refused entry, according to Peter Mitchell, prosecuting.
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He added that the RSPCA officer reported a “strong smell of urine and faeces” when attempting to carry out the first check. Mr Mitchell added the smell of ammonia was so strong it caused the “eyes to sting.”
Dottie was later found to be emaciated - abnormally thin and underweight - with the more mature Diesel also said to be underweight. The older dog remained in Rae’s possession but Dottie was handed over to the RSCPA who immediately took her under its supervision before being taken to the vets.
WARNING: Contains distressing images
There Dottie was said to be at the worst end of the scale between one and nine when it comes to measuring emaciation. One being the worst, which was the rating given to Dottie.
It was heard that a dog of this type should weigh in the region of 30 kg but was as low as 23.6 kg. Dottie’s bones had become “prominent” and blood tests showed she was anaemic.
After observation the vet said she had been suffering for at least seven weeks. The prosecution said that Dottie had a litter of puppies and was reportedly more healthy at this time, but it was claimed that Rae said Dottie then returned to a state which was described as "skin and bone" - with the owner claiming Dottie had "always been an ill dog” and was “scared and kept weeing”.
The owner, who had been in possession of Dottie for 18 months, had claimed they contacted the vets about the dog's condition but the prosecution said this was found to be untrue. It was added that since starting a refeeding programme Dottie's weight had improved to 27.5 kg with the help of a proper diet.
Leigh Irlam, defending, said her client has been “overwhelmed" since proceedings started and was “upset” at the outcome. Further mitigation referred to Rae “struggling to come to terms with another loss in their life.”
Ms Irlam added: “Tobias is young and struggling and needs some assistance from yourself today. They are a young person who has had a lot of turbulence in their life.”
It was heard that Rae, who has no previous convictions, had been through a period of homelessness. They now live alone in their own flat and are in receipt of benefits, the court heard.
Hearing the case, Magistrate Jonathan Elliott said it had “not been an easy case” but decided that the offence "crossed the threshold" for the suspended sentence handed down. Rae was given an 18 week sentence reduced to 12 weeks, suspended for two years.
Rae was ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £114, paid at the rate of £20 a month and also ordered to undergo 30 days of rehabilitation activity requirement. The £685 in vet and legal fees incurred by the RSPCA would be covered by central funding, according to Mr Elliott.
Mr Elliott said: “As for why we have suspended this sentence, we want to give you the opportunity to address the cause of this offence.” The 22-year-old was also disqualified from owning animals for six years and made arrangements to have Diesel rehomed with their grandad.
The magistrate concluded: “Please be aware it is a serious situation and you don’t want to be back in here under similar circumstances.”
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