LOUISE TURNBULL and SHAUN WINTER – DARLINGTON

❌LOUISE TURNBULL and SHAUN WINTER – DARLINGTON❌

Two people from Darlington have been disqualified from keeping animals for five years after neglecting a German Shepherd dog who a vet said had been suffering for at least a month.

Nine-year-old Tia was only 16.45 kg (36.26 pounds) when she was rescued by the RSPCA in February but nearly doubled her weight after two months in the charity’s care.

Shaun Winter, 42, and Louise Turnbull, 38, were handed the ban when they appeared at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates Court for sentencing last Wednesday (22 October) following a prosecution by the animal welfare charity.

They had previously pleaded guilty to one offence contrary to the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

The court heard that RSPCA Inspector Clare Wilson went to Poppy Close in Darlington on 6 February this year following welfare concerns about a dog at the address and was shown into the property by Turnbull.

In her written evidence to the court the Inspector said: “It was immediately obvious that Tia was in extremely poor body condition as I could clearly see her ribs and pelvic bones protruding through her skin, despite her long coat, and she had an extremely marked waist.

“I asked Ms Turnbull to get Tia on her feet and I ran my hands over her. I could feel every bone, including her skull, shoulders and spine and they felt spiky to the touch. She had obvious discharge matted into the hair all over her head and ears and I saw her shaking her head a lot.”

Turnbull was told suspected animal welfare offences may have been committed and the dog would need to be seen by a vet. She was also advised that both her and her ex-partner Winter, who the Inspector was told owned Tia, would need to be interviewed.

Turnbull said that Tia had been poisoned and had not gained weight since.

The same day Tia was examined by a vet who confirmed she was suffering. In her written evidence to the court the vet said: “Tia weighed 16.45 kgs (36.26 pounds) and was given a body condition score of 2/9. She had severe bilateral ear discharge.

“There were numerous areas of matted hairs, mainly on the head including the back of the ears. The outer ears were covered with black sticky discharge. She was very hungry when presented with food and she was severely underweight.”

The vet said it was her opinion that Tia had been caused unnecessary suffering through the defendants’ failure to investigate her poor body condition and provide veterinary treatment for her severe ear infection which would have been ongoing for at least a month.

She said Winter and Turnbull had also failed to meet her needs and protect Tia from pain, suffering, injury and disease.

The court was told Tia was clearly sore when the vet touched her ears and reacted by pulling her head away and crying. After being cleaned and dematted she was given antibiotics and started on a slow re-feeding plan.

Tia was seen and weighed again regularly at a private boarding establishment where she was cared for on behalf of the RSPCA. By 15 April she had reached a normal weight of 31.9kg (70.32 pounds), although her ears continued to be monitored for flare ups.

Winter, of Beaumont Hill in Darlington, was ordered to carry out a 12 month community order with 200 hours of unpaid work and pay costs of £300 and a victim surcharge of £114.

Turnbull, of Poppy Close in Darlington, was given a 12 month community order with 20 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days and 80 hours of unpaid work. She was also ordered to pay costs of £300 and a victim surcharge of £114.

Neither defendant can apply to have their disqualification order lifted for three years.

In mitigation the court was told they were both genuinely remorseful and had mental health and family issues.

Speaking after the sentencing hearing Inspector Wilson said: “Ear infections are painful and any competent pet owner would have recognised their dog’s distress by the itching and head shaking. Tia’s emaciated condition was also obvious, even without stroking her, and those responsible for her should have sought veterinary attention at a much earlier stage.

“It’s been a fairly lengthy process to get Tia well again but she’s made really good progress after everything she has been through.”

Tia remains in RSPCA care. She has recently had ear surgery and will be looking for a new home shortly.

📸 RSPCA