Animal ban for Clowne man

An RSPCA officer went to Paul Wells’ home on 29th February after a call about the condition of springer spaniel bitch, named Ruby.

The dog was well below the normal weight and its ribs were prominent, Brian Orsborn, prosecuting, told magistrates at Chesterfield.

Wells, 26, of Southgate Crescent, claimed worming tablets had been prescribed by a vet but checks found no record of a veterinary appointment. The RSPCA boarded Ruby and by 23rd April her weight had risen from 11.25kg to 18.1kg.

“He said the dog had been quite happy and not in pain and he had fed her a proper diet and he didn’t know why she had lost weight.”

“He said he wanted her back but he later said his circumstances had changed and he signed her over to the RSPCA,” added Mr Orsborn.

Bob Sowter, defending, said the dog had been ‘dumped’ on him by its previous owner, who asked him to look after it for a while and then would not take it back.

“He cared for it as best he could. There was nothing malicious about the offence but he accepts his level of care was not enough. He didn’t notice the weight dropping off because he was around the dog all the time.”

He said Wells suffered from disabilities and his parents had died last year. His aunt was helping him.

Wells admitted failing to ensure the welfare of a dog. He was given a one-year conditional discharge, with £450 costs, and banned from keeping animals for five years.