Dog neglected so badly vets unable to determine what animal it was when she died

A woman let her dog's fur become so matted that after the pet died vets were unable to determine what kind of animal it was.

Abbey, a crossbreed, died and was taken to the vets for cremation - but when the cardboard box was opened the fur was so matted it was impossible to see it was a dog.

Owner Emily Louise Fiel, 54, neglected the dog so badly that 90% of the animal's fur was matted.

The extreme neglect meant Abbey was forced to lie in her own bodily fluids as they became trapped in her fur.

And the dog's legs were identifiable from an overgrown claw.

Abbey was forced to lie in her own bodily fluids as they became trapped in her fur (SWNS)

Friel, of Glasgow Street, Ardrossan, Ayrshire, pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court and was sentenced on September 29, given a five-year ban from keeping dogs and a £500 fine.

Scottish SPCA chief inspector Laura McIntyre said: “We received a report from a vet after Friel presented Abbey at the veterinary surgery for cremation after she had passed away.

“The dog’s body had been folded into a large cardboard box. It was not immediately apparent upon opening the box that the animal was a dog, as 90% of the body’s fur was extremely matted.

Abbey's legs were identifiable from an overgrown claw (SWNS)

“Abbey’s legs were as thick as tree trunks and there was pus seeping from one of her hind legs.

"The legs were only identifiable from one single over grown claw sticking out through the matting, her entire paws and pads were completely covered in matting and what appeared to be faeces.

“The rear end of the dog was also severely matted and she would have been unable to pass any urine or faeces through the matting meaning that any waste being passed would be absorbed directly into her coat, in turn, forcing her to lie in her own excreta.

“Abbey was also in extremely poor body condition and very underweight for her size and breed type.

“This type of extreme matting would not have happened overnight and it’s sadly likely that Abbey would have been suffering for some time in this awful state.

“We’re glad that Friel has been given this ban and hope she seriously reconsiders her ability to care for any animal in future."