A woman from Bradford has been banned from keeping animals for five years after leaving her dog with untreated wounds for over a week.
Chevaune Houston, was sentenced at Bradford Magistrates Court on 23 July after pleading guilty to one Animal Welfare Act offence. The case followed an RSPCA investigation into the condition of Rock, her Patterdale Terrier, who was found injured at her home in Park Road, Low Moor, last September.
Police discovered Rock lying on a blood-stained duvet in a conservatory without food or water while attending the property for an unrelated matter on 19 September 2024. Officers reported that the dog was shaking and had two large cuts across his back and another on his chest.
Houston told police that one of her other dogs had attacked Rock at 1am the previous morning, but she did not realise how badly he was hurt. She admitted she had not taken him to an emergency vet, saying she thought a vet could come to her home the following day.
The court heard that Houston was unable to provide police with evidence of any attempt to contact a vet. Concerned that Rock had been left for 12 hours without treatment, officers arranged for emergency veterinary care. A vet found that the dog had numerous open wounds, bruising to the neck, 12 missing teeth, a fractured tooth, and scarring to his face. The injuries were estimated to be at least five days old and likely more than a week.
Rock was sedated, treated for pain, and had his wounds cleaned before being transferred to the RSPCA’s Greater Manchester Animal Hospital. Full thickness wounds on his neck were believed to be the result of bite injuries, which the vet said should have prompted immediate veterinary attention due to the proximity to major blood vessels and airways.
By 4 October, Rock was well enough to move to the RSPCA Leeds, Wakefield & District Branch, where he stayed for five weeks before being rehomed. Three other dogs from Houston’s address were also signed over to the RSPCA and have been rehomed.
In addition to the animal ban, Houston received a 12-month community order with 100 hours of unpaid work, £400 costs, and a £114 victim surcharge.
RSPCA Inspector Claire Mitchell said, “Rock was found in a distressing state having been left for many days with serious untreated wounds and we’d like to thank the police for ensuring he got the veterinary treatment he urgently needed. We all have a responsibility to the animals we take on and that includes seeking timely and appropriate veterinary intervention.”
