Doncaster man given indefinite animal ban for 'sickening' neglect of dogs

A Doncaster man has been given an indefinite animal ban for neglecting two dogs who had to be put down as their condition was so shocking.

John Anthony has also been given a suspended prison sentenc after he admitted neglecting the pair of Neapolitan Mastiffs.

Magistrates said they were “sickened” by the images of the pair which vets said had suffered because Anthony had failed to seek professional help.

Anthony of Broomhouse Lane, Edlington, appeared at Doncaster Magistrates Court on November 2 and was handed a 19-week custodial sentence, suspended for 18 months, and an indefinite ban on keeping animals which he cannot contest for 20 years.

He was also ordered to carry out 300 hours of unpaid work, fined £1,000 and told to pay a £154 victim surcharge.

He had pleaded guilty to four animal welfare offences at earlier hearings following an investigation and prosecution by the RSPCA.

Magistrates were told two of the charity’s officers had visited his property on March 7 last year after reports had been received about the welfare of two dogs at the address.

They were taken to a garage where a black Neapolitan Mastiff called General was being kept in a large indoor kennel.

Apart from a piece of wood, there was no soft bedding. Anthony said this was because the dog had previously chewed it.

The area was described as “dark and cold with minimal natural light.”

The officers were then shown an outside area where another Neapolitan Mastiff called Tiberius was being kept in a wooden box kennel.

The dog had access to a small outside area which was covered in faeces but appeared reluctant to move.

Anthony told the officers he was building an extension at his property so the dogs currently didn’t have as much access to the garden as usual.

In her written evidence to the court RSPCA Animal Rescue Officer Danielle Drury, said: “It was clear to see Tiberius had a severe skin issue, even from inside the kennel, but once outside the extent of the condition became obvious.

“The dog’s paws were very swollen and sore, some with fresh blood visible.

“The skin under his chin and stomach was thickened and red. He looked extremely uncomfortable, even just standing, as he was trying not to put any pressure on his paws and was constantly lifting them up and down.

“He also appeared underweight with his ribs and hip bones visible.

“He was reluctant to come out of the kennel, even with encouragement from John Anthony, who explained that Tiberius had been dealing with a skin issue that had been ongoing for at least four months.

“He explained the dog was under veterinary treatment, the last visit to the vet was two to three weeks prior.”

Anthony, who said he had been bathing the dog’s legs in Dettol, was told Tiberius needed urgent treatment and he agreed to meet the RSPCA at a veterinary practice.

The court heard the dog was walking low to the ground, seemed uncomfortable and was bumping into things as if he couldn’t see properly.

The vet who examined Tiberius said he was in a suffering state and he was put to sleep with Anthony’s consent.

Anthony was issued with a warning notice to ensure General was also seen by a vet about his weight by March 11, but he failed to act and the dog was seized with the help of the police seven days later after he refused to let the RSPCA take him for treatment.

The vet who gave written evidence in relation to Tiberius said he was suffering from severe skin disease which had caused swelling, redness, ulceration and bleeding. There was discharge coming from both ears and the dog had bilateral entropion.

Tiberius was given a body condition score of 2/9 (with 4 to 5 being a healthy weight) and the vet said she couldn’t rule out this was the result of starvation.

Regardless of the cause, she said the dog had been caused to suffer in Anthony’s care because of his failure to seek veterinary care within an appropriate time frame.

She said suffering would have occurred over a minimum period of four weeks, however it was likely to be much longer considering all the evidence provided.

Magistrates also heard evidence from the vet who examined General and gave him a body condition score of 2/9.

X-rays showed the dog had hip dysplasia, a cranial cruciate ligament rupture of the left hind knee joint and a severe, chronic spinal infection that had caused the bones in his lower back to fuse together.

Pressure sores and scars seen on his legs and body were due to inappropriate bedding and probably fighting, the court was told.

The vet said General’s health issues had been going on for some time, “likely upwards of months,” and there was nothing further that could be done and sadly the dog was also put to sleep.

Passing sentence, magistrates said they were “sickened” by the photographs they had seen and the information about the case.

They said Anthony had chosen not to comply with advice he’d been given and both dogs had to be euthanised as a result.

In mitigation the court heard the defendant had successfully bred and kept Neapolitan Mastiffs over many years and that his history demonstrated a “genuine concern” for animal welfare. It was said he had spent “substantial” amounts on veterinary care in the past and therefore could not properly be characterised as someone who was indifferent to the welfare of animals.