A woman who presented herself online as a dog rescuer has been convicted after her own two-year-old pocket bully was found emaciated and suffering from horrific untreated injuries so severe he had to be put to sleep.
Daisy May Lawson, also known as Daisy Calvert, was prosecuted over the suffering of her dog Scrappy, who was taken to a veterinary practice in Lincolnshire in September 2024.
Lawson, 25 at the time of the offence and now 26, had previously lived in Gainsborough and was reported at sentencing to be living in Rayne, near Braintree.
She had presented herself online as a dog rescuer under the name Kingston Bullies.
When Scrappy finally reached veterinary care, staff were confronted with a desperately ill and underweight dog suffering extensive wounds to his face, jaw and neck.
The injuries were reportedly sustained during a fight with another dog, but veterinary evidence showed they had been left untreated for so long that they had become severely infected.
Scrappy’s wounds were described as “rotten” and “smelly”, with chronic tissue damage.
Independent veterinary evidence presented to the court found Scrappy had suffered a significant degloving injury to his face and neck which had not received prompt treatment.
His suffering was compounded by his appalling body condition. Scrappy was emaciated and experts concluded he had been inadequately fed for a prolonged period, with evidence consistent with at least two weeks of insufficient nutrition.
He had been left hungry, weakened and severely underweight.
Despite the seriousness of his injuries and deteriorating condition, appropriate veterinary treatment was not sought in time.
By the time Scrappy was examined, his condition was so severe that vets concluded his suffering could not continue and he was euthanised on humane grounds.
An RSPCA investigation followed, and Lawson was ultimately convicted of causing unnecessary suffering to Scrappy.
The court heard in mitigation that Lawson had experienced a difficult childhood and suffered from significant mental-health issues.
At Lincoln Crown Court on 10 July 2026, Lawson was given a three-year community order and ordered to complete 20 rehabilitation activity days.
She was also banned from keeping dogs for 10 years, meaning the disqualification is due to remain in force until July 2036.
RSPCA Inspector Deborah Scotcher described the case as deeply upsetting and said Scrappy had endured serious untreated injuries alongside prolonged poor body condition.
She stressed that owners have both a legal and moral responsibility to obtain veterinary treatment when an animal is injured and to ensure pets receive adequate nutrition and care.
