Milford Mercury | Local News, Sport & Entertainment

Couple guilty of neglecting dog

From the Milford Mercury, first published Thursday 28th Apr 2005.

A MILFORD Haven couple have pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to their dog.

Joyce Powell and Kevin Croxford of Howarth Close, accepted unreasonably omitting to provide their Afghan hound, Indie, with proper and necessary care and attention.

On October 27 last year RSPCA inspector Julie Fadden issued a verbal warning to Miss Powell, about Indie's badly matted coat.

Despite the warning, the dog subsequently ran away from the couple's home and was retrieved by the local authority dog warden.

Indie was then taken to Kingston House vets in Pembroke.

In the vet's opinion, the owners had failed to provide necessary grooming care and the attention required to keep the animal in an acceptable condition.

The matted coat and flea infestation would have caused significant irritation to the skin and Indie's inflamed ears also caused her discomfort.

The required treatment was very straightforward; the clipping of matted hair, and the administration of eardrops and flea treatment.

Powell and Croxford were prosecuted under section 1 1a of the 1911 Protection of Animals Act when they appeared before magistrates in Haverfordwest.

RSPCA Inspector Fadden said: "Despite constant advice, this couple refused to listen and eventually ended up in court. This is a classic example of causing suffering to an animal by not acting on the good advice given by professionals."

Powell and Croxford were fined £100 each and ordered to pay £100 costs.

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