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A Leicester man fractured his dog’s skull and let her become “severely underweight” in what has been branded “absolutely appalling” treatment. Vernon Scot West’s cruel actions were so severe he has now been given a lifetime ban after he let the poor animal starve to the point her ribs and bones were showing.
Concerns about the brown/brindle crossbreed called Star were raised by a witness who called Leicestershire Police. They had purchased Star from West, of Tarbat Road, Thurncourt, and taken her to Leicester PDSA Pet Hospital.
At the hospital, Star was found to be in “very poor body condition”, had swelling to her head and overgrown nails. The RSPCA said that despite excessive claw growth being a sign of a lack of exercise, Star exhibited no signs of mobility issues.
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Tests by the Leicester PDSA team also found Star to be “severely underweight”, weighing just 17.9kg. She was so thin her ribs and bones were showing. Wounds on Star’s head also revealed blood cells present in the fluid from the swelling.
Meanwhile, blood tests found the dog was “mildly dehydrated” and needed intravenous fluids for two days along with pain relief and anti-inflammatory medicine. Star went on to “quickly” gain weight after being placed on a feeding plan. She was also given routine flea and worm treatment.
The treatment of the dog was described as ‘completely unacceptable’
(Image: RSPCA)
Leicestershire Police then tasked the RSPCA to lead the investigation into West, with the 49-year-old subsequently charged with animal cruelty offences. At Leicester Magistrates’ Court last November, he pleaded guilty to four Animal Welfare Act offences – including inflicting blunt force trauma on Star causing a fractured skull.
The severity of his offences saw sentencing moved to Leicester Crown Court where the judge handed him a 10-month jail term. He was also given a lifetime ban from keeping animals.
The judge said: “The way you treated that dog is absolutely appalling … When she was taken away from you, she weighed 17.9kg (39.5lb), she was extremely thin, her ribs and bones were showing.
“Within a very short time her weight was over 23kg (50.7lb). She had been seriously injured and expert evidence is that she has been injured by blunt force trauma … she had a fracture to her skull and a fracture to her zygomatic arch … it was not just a question of not feeding or starving that dog, it was physically assaulting the dog.”
Speaking after sentencing, RSPCA chief inspector Sarah Bate said: “Owning an animal is a privilege – pet-owners have a legal responsibility to ensure their animals do not suffer.
“It’s completely unacceptable to treat any animal in this way and we will always look into reports of animal cruelty and, where necessary, seek justice for that animal.”
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