Weymouth woman found guilty of two animal welfare offences

One of her dogs had a chronic skin disease and was said to have major fur loss and scabby skin all over plus visible scabs on her back, tail and legs. Live fleas could be seen crawling on both dogs which were living in poor conditions.

Shona Hale, 32, was convicted following an investigation and prosecution by the RSPCA.

The animal charity said rescuers were called to Hale’s home address in Weymouth after concerns were raised about the welfare of her pets - two female wirehaired lurcher type dogs named Branna and Sky.

They were found in poor conditions and surroundings during the visit by RSPCA inspector Patrick Bailey on June 25, 2022.

He said: “Sky was of thin body condition, with her spine and hips bones prominent. She had thinning fur on her lower back and the base of her tail and her skin was pink and inflamed. Branna was worse in condition. She had fur loss on her lower back, her hind legs and her tail as well as her stomach, chest, underneath her neck and thinning fur on her front legs. She had scabby skin all over, there were visible scabs on her back, tail and legs, particularly her back legs.

“You could also feel scabs on the skin of her head, neck and behind her ears, although they were concealed by slightly thicker fur in these areas. The fur that was present on her back legs was matted into knots. Live fleas could be seen crawling on both dogs. Both dogs were trying to rest on the sofa but constantly interrupted by itching which caused them to scratch, lick and nibble themselves.”

Mr Bailey persuaded Hale’s partner to allow him to take the dogs to a vet for a welfare check. The veterinary examination found Branna was suffering unnecessarily due to a chronic skin infection, malesia and flea infestation and vets confirmed neither dog had had their needs met fully.

The dogs were taken into the care of an RSPCA rescue centre where there was a significant improvement in their condition after just two weeks of treatment.

The skin on both dogs was a normal colour and was no longer greasy or smelly. There were no fleas and a significant reduction in the amount of scabs on Branna, who also had some new hair growth on her lower back.

The kennel staff also reported that the dogs had stopped scratching within 24 hours of their first bath on first arrival at the RSPCA centre and their character had improved along with their physical condition.

Hale was sentenced at Poole Magistrates Court. She had been charged with causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal (Branna) by failing to provide adequate or effective professional veterinary care and attention for her severe and chronic skin disease. She was also charged with failing to ensure the needs of animals she was responsible for were met.

Alongside the five-year-long dog disqualification order, she was also sentenced to a two-year conditional discharge and ordered to pay a £26 victim surcharge.

Speaking after the case, RSPCA inspector Charlotte Le Brun, who investigated for the animal welfare charity, said: “Our plea to all animal owners is to make sure they always receive care and treatment from veterinary experts when they need it. Hale had been previously offered assistance from the RSPCA, including help with vet care for the dogs, but she did not take her dogs to the vet.

“Pets are completely reliant on their owners to ensure their needs are met and they are kept safe and healthy. Owning an animal is a privilege - and ensuring appropriate veterinary care is a key part of the responsibility we have towards our pets. It’s so sad that, in this instance, that responsibility was not met.”