Prosecution over neglect of dog
An owner has been prosecuted by Winchester City Council for serious neglect of his dog.
The German Shepherd called Angel was picked up as a stray by the Council’s animal welfare officers in Hambledon in July 2014. Angel was found to be terribly emaciated, having lost almost half her body weight during the five weeks she had been owned by Barry Peach.
Mr Peach of Hambledon was banned for life from handling or owning dogs in the case heard at Portsmouth Magistrates Court on Monday 22 June. He was required to pay £3,000 to the City Council to cover legal costs, plus the costs of veterinary care and temporary fostering. He was also fined £165 and ordered to pay a victim surcharge.
Litigation solicitor Sharon Evans representing the Council highlighted to the court that the requirement to feed an animal is one of the most basic and fundamental responsibilities of a pet-owner. Angel was left to scavenge for food. Had she not escaped as a stray and been picked up by the Council, the consequences may have been more tragic.
Cllr Frank Pearson, Portfolio Holder for Environment, Health and Wellbeing, said:
Cases such as these are thankfully rare but they show that Winchester City Council takes responsible dog-ownership seriously and will not tolerate cases of neglect.
Angel has been doing really well since she went into foster care and now has a permanent home where she will be fed, cared for and loved.
Winchester City Council collects between 150 and 200 stray dogs a year. Thankfully few of them are in such poor condition as Angel but could be reunited with their loving owners more quickly were they microchipped. Microchipping becomes a legal requirement for all dogs from 6 April 2016.