Woman banned from keeping animals after starving dog found with maggots in his eyes

A woman has been banned from keeping animals for 10 years after leaving her starving dog in such a horrific condition that maggots were crawling from his eyes, mouth and anus.

Nine-year-old Bichon Frise Jim weighed just 2.5kg, or 5.5lb, when he was taken to a veterinary clinic in County Durham last September.

His skeletal frame was clearly visible and he had suffered severe muscle wastage, while maggots were found across several parts of his body.

Owner Jenna Read, 39 of Darlington, admitted causing unnecessary suffering to Jim following a prosecution brought by the RSPCA.

Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court heard how a friend of Read took the desperately ill dog to a local veterinary clinic on September 26 after becoming severely concerned about his welfare.

The friend told staff that she had Read’s permission for Jim to be put to sleep.

A veterinary examination found that Jim had a body condition score of just one out of nine. A healthy dog would normally score between four and five.

He was also suffering from muscle wastage and had a mass on his neck. The vet concluded that euthanasia was the only option to prevent him from suffering further.

In a witness statement, the vet said: “A live maggot was noted on his lips … their presence was identified in several locations on Jim – the oral cavity, under the left eye and the anus.

“Larvae were concentrated in the oral cavity, indicating a potential dental abscess … there were no visible external wounds identified as the source of the maggots.”

The RSPCA launched an investigation and discovered that another Bichon Frise-type dog, named Rosy, was living at Read’s home.
Rosy was found dirty and with a matted coat. Read later agreed to sign her over to the animal welfare charity and she has since been rehomed.

Read appeared before Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court on August 20 and pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to Jim.
As well as being banned from keeping animals for a decade, she was fined £200 and ordered to pay a £80 victim surcharge and £480 in costs.

In mitigation, the court heard that Read had spent time in hospital because of mental health problems and that other adults had also been involved in caring for the dogs.

Speaking after the sentencing, the RSPCA inspector who investigated the case said: “Jim was in an extremely poor condition when he was brought to the veterinary surgery.

“He was severely underweight, his skeletal frame was prominent and there were maggots crawling all over him – even out of his eyes, which was a horrific sight.

“Owners have a responsibility to recognise when their animals are unwell and suffering, and to seek appropriate veterinary advice.
“If an animal’s condition is deteriorating, it is vital that action is taken before it reaches the point where the animal is in as heartbreaking a state as Jim.”

The RSPCA urged anyone struggling to care for a pet to seek help before the animal’s welfare reaches crisis point.
Animal welfare charities can provide advice and support to owners who are finding it difficult to meet their pets’ needs.