French bulldog found emaciated with open pressure sores as owner is banned from keeping animals
A woman has been convicted of animal welfare offences after an emaciated French bulldog with untreated open sores, a flea-infested kitten and five underweight hens were discovered in her care.
Amy Ashbrook, of Shotton, Deeside, was prosecuted following an RSPCA investigation into the conditions in which the animals were being kept.
RSPCA Inspector Mark Roberts described arriving at the property and finding a garden filled with junk and rubbish, including an overflowing skip.
Five adult hens were being kept inside a very small chicken coop.
The birds had little room to move or spread their wings, while the enclosure contained no food or water and its floor was covered in a thick layer of faeces.
Inside the kitchen, Inspector Roberts discovered a tan-coloured French bulldog named Reggie inside a cage.
The cage had no solid base, leaving Reggie on bare wire with only a tea towel beneath him.
His condition immediately caused serious concern.
Reggie was described as being in extremely poor body condition, scoring just one out of nine, when a healthy score would ordinarily be around four or five.
He had open pressure sores on his hindquarters and another open wound along his spine, just forward of his hips.
Even when people entered the kitchen, Reggie showed virtually no reaction and remained curled up.
Inspector Roberts said his immediate concern was for the dog because he was showing no interest in what was happening around him.
Ashbrook agreed that Reggie and a lethargic kitten named Baguette could be taken for veterinary treatment.
Examination of Baguette revealed that the kitten was anaemic as a result of a severe flea infestation.
Reggie was found to be emaciated, with untreated open pressure sores, an open spinal wound and discharge coming from both eyes.
The five hens were also examined. They were described as very underweight and infested with mites, although they remained bright and alert.
All of the animals were subsequently signed over to the RSPCA and have since been successfully rehomed.
Following sentencing, Inspector Roberts said every animal deserved to be treated with kindness and respect and that anyone keeping a pet had a responsibility to ensure it was healthy and properly cared for.
Ashbrook received a 12-month community order with 20 rehabilitation days.
She was also ordered to pay a £200 fine and £114 victim surcharge.
She was disqualified from keeping all animals for two years, with the ban due to expire in May 2028.
