Warning: graphic images
A woman has been handed a three-year ban on owning pets after her two dogs were in such “horrendous” pain they had to be euthanised.
Sheila Brolly, 64, from Ford, Argyll failed to provide veterinary care for her eight-year-old collie, Dan and nine-year-old collie, Goldie.
Dan was suffering from a persistent ear infection and Goldie had several visible tumours in her mouth.
Complications from the dogs’ untreated medical conditions caused them such prolonged suffering that they had to be put to sleep on welfare grounds.
Scottish SPCA visited Brolly’s property in July 2020 following concerns for the dogs, found living in a metal trailer with fencing around it, no bedding and no water despite the high temperatures.
Brolly, of Torran Farm, Ford, pled guilty to causing unnecessary suffering at Dunoon Sheriff Court on June 9 and was sentenced on November 10 at the same court.
Scottish SPCA inspector Yvonne Sloss said: “There was a noticeable smell of infection coming from the two dogs. Dan appeared to be missing part of one ear, which Brolly said was the result of a fight with another dog several years ago.
“On closer inspection I was horrified to see that Dan had flesh falling away from both his ears. The smell of infection was over powering and Dan was yelping when his head was touched.
“Goldie had several large growths in her mouth, which were so big they could be seen when she was panting. Her coat was matted and there was discharge and blood dripping from her jaw. Again, the smell of infection was incredibly strong.
“Brolly stated neither dog had ever seen a vet at any point in their lives and she had treated Dan’s previous ear wound with a blue spray that she would use for the sheep.
“Once both dogs were examined by a veterinary surgeon the true extent of both their conditions were revealed. Dan’s gums were inflamed and his incisor teeth were very worn. It’s impossible to judge how much pain this was causing him as he was already in so much pain from his ears.
“Both his ears were so infected that the skin in the ear canal had thickened and calcified around his right ear drum, showing the infection had been ongoing for some time.
“The infection had eaten away the flesh at the entrance to his right ear canal and both ears were full of blood and pus.
“The infection had been allowed to continue for so long and become so severe it was now incurable and there was no chance of Dan recovering successfully. Therefore, the decision was made to put him to sleep and end his suffering.”
Inspector Sloss said Goldie’s large mouth tumours, infection and broken teeth would have caused her “considerable pain.”
“The tumours in her mouth had grown so large that they were now encompassing some of her teeth and causing others to become loose,” she said.
“The tumours had been left so long they had become inoperable and it would have been impossible to restore her mouth to its normal condition so she was also euthanised on veterinary advice.
“The dogs were in such a horrendous state that even a lay person would be able to identify these conditions and how they would cause suffering and pain. This pain was severe and inflicted needlessly over a prolonged period of time.”
She added: “Had Brolly taken swift action at the onset of these conditions and provided her dogs with the appropriate veterinary attention, they need not have suffered and may even still be alive and well today.
“We’re pleased Brolly has received a ban on owning animals and hope she will seriously consider her ability to look after any animal in the future.
“If anyone is concerned about an animal they can contact our confidential animal helpline on 03000 999 999.”
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