'Mo was in extremely poor condition' - Willenhall woman banned from owning pets after leaving starving dog to 'suffer'
A Willenhall woman has been banned from owning animals for 15 years after her dog was left to suffer in an emaciated state
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Colleen Rathbone, 32, of Portobello Close, Portobello, Willenhall, was also sentenced to four months custody, suspended for 12 months, after pleading guilty to two animal welfare offences, following an investigation and prosecution by the RSPCA.
Mo, a 13-year-old Staffordshire bull terrier, was taken to a vet by Rathbone on March 7, 2024, in a collapsed and emaciated condition.
The vet euthanised her on welfare grounds but contacted the RSPCA with concerns that Mo had suffered from prolonged neglect.
In their report, the vet said: “The poor body condition, emaciation and hypoglycaemia are likely due to inadequate food intake, malnutrition or disease. This level of emaciation and muscle wastage would have been a gradual development and taken at least 12-16 weeks to develop.
"To give comparison to Mo's presenting body weight of 19lbs, she weighed 401bs 80oz when microchipped in 2014."
“She said Mo felt cold to the touch because she had been left outside in the garden during the course of the day since she collapsed."
“In my professional opinion, the owner has failed to provide for the dog’s welfare by failing to protect her from pain, suffering and disease. This is likely to have been occurring for a minimum of 12 weeks."
The vet also claimed that the "owner led to the dog experiencing unnecessary pain and suffering" which could have been "avoided by attending to her needs appropriately and seeking veterinary treatment and care.”
Alongside the 15-year animal disqualification, which she can not appeal for 10 years, she must pay £350 costs and a £154 victim surcharge. She was also ordered to carry out 25 rehabilitation activity requirement days when she was sentenced at Birmingham Magistrates Court.
Rathbone apologised for what happened and that she did her best.
RSPCA Inspector Fiona Howell said: “Mo was in extremely poor body condition and had been losing weight for some time. No veterinary advice had been sought, instead, she was left to suffer without the care she clearly needed.”
