A woman has been banned from keeping dogs for a decade after her pet pooch was reduced to skin and bone and found dead in its own filth.
Kayleigh Benson, delivered her dead dog to People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) seeking help, however, the postmortem revealed her American Bulldog called Lexi, had been severely malnourished before her death.
This week a court heard how when the vet examined Lexi they found the dog to be emaciated, and merely ‘a skeleton with skin’.
The 28-year-old admitted causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal between November 21, 2019 and December 23, 2019.
Evidence revealed by RSPCA prosecutor, Phil Brown, showed that on December 22, 2019, Benson contacted PDSA asking for assistance as her dog had passed away.
Accompanied by a male, Benson took Lexi to the pet hospital and requested for a postmortem to figure out its cause of death. Lexi was wrapped up in a blanket, and the male instructed staff to not unwrap her as she ‘was in a really bad state’.
When Lexi was examined, the vet found it was soiled in urine and the urine had scalded its rear, the court heard.
“It had very little fat and no muscle. The whole of her side was covered in faeces, suggesting she was living in faeces before her death,” Mr Brown said.
Lexi’s postmortem revealed she was reduced to a skeletal state and her bones were breaking down, which Mr Brown explained was a result of extended period of starvation after the body no longer has muscle or fat for energy.
It was very dirty with faeces and urine, and had bald patches caused by pressure in the same area. It was also found with a plastic bag in its large intestines.
Multiple organs were found without required fat, according to Hull Daily Mail.
Mr Brown added: “It had no underlying diseases to have caused this, it was due to a lack of nutrition.
“This was an animal in severe hunger, pain and mental suffering. It was suffering for many weeks.
“This chronic period of suffering could have been easily avoided.”
Emma Johnson, mitigating, told the court Benson, of Junella Close in Hull, was shocked and devastated at what happened.
Lexi came in the sole care of Benson after an incident with an ex-partner. At the time of Lexi’s death, Ms Johnson told the court Benson was at “the worst time of her life” after losing her father, which distracted her from caring for her dog.
Benson said this was very “out of character for her”.
The magistrates gave Benson a 12-week suspended sentence, 25 days of rehab and disqualified her from owning a dog for the next 10 years.
She was also ordered to pay £478, which will be deducted from her benefits payout.
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here.
