15 April 2024 , 08:21
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A man whose dog needed to be put down after he let his pet develop an "oozing," grapefruit-sized tumour claimed he did not seek help due to the Covid lockdown.
Simon Moynes, 38, from Chatham, Kent, has been banned from keeping animals for a decade after he admitted to a welfare offence. The condition of his 12-year-old Staffordshire bull terrier Cassie was so bad that a vet decided the best option was to euthanise her.
The RSPCA was called to Moynes' home in January last year following reports of a dog that had fleas and bad skin. Once inside, they found Cassie in a horrendous state, covered in urine stains, underweight and with a huge tumour. "I immediately noted a strong smell of urine and infection coming from Cassie," an inspector said. "She appeared extremely lethargic and subdued.
"Moynes placed Cassie on the floor in front of me and I could see she was extremely underweight with her ribs clearly visible. She had fur loss across her mid to lower back and down her back legs and I could see urine staining on her back legs.
Cassie was euthanised after being seen by a vet (RSPCA / SWNS)"She also appeared to be dripping urine involuntarily. She had evidence of flea dirt and fleas on her back. Cassie was able to stand for a few seconds before she laid down in front of me and appeared extremely weak on her legs. On her front left leg around her elbow she had a large mass that I noted was about the size of a grapefruit that was open, ulcerated, oozing pus and blood and smelt extremely strong of infection.
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"I also noted a small mass on her abdomen that was also open, ulcerated and oozing pus and blood.” Moynes then told the inspector that Cassie had not seen a vet since before 2020.
Cassie smelled of urine when she was seen by investigators (RSPCA / SWNS)Moynes clamed he could not get an appointment during the Covid lockdown, the RSPCA said. He agreed to let the inspector take Cassie to the vet to be treated, but it was decided the best thing would be to end her suffering and euthanise her.
In a witness statement, the vet said: "The period of suffering is likely to have been 18 months and this could have been reduced if veterinary advice was seeked sooner [sic]. Both masses would have caused severe pain and suffering for Cassie, there was rotting tissue in both masses which had caused severe infection.
"Due to her anaemia she was extremely lethargic and had shortness of breath upon presentation. Cassie would have been suffering with anaemia for up to six months as a result of her untreated condition.
Cassie was found to have tumours (RSPCA / SWNS)"Due to her emaciation and muscle wastage she could barely stand and couldn’t walk where she was so lethargic, weak and in a suffering state. Her tumours were so large that they were inoperable, and would have had to involve removal of the entire front leg to adequately remove the tumour. In a severely compromised, anaemic and hypotensive dog this would not have been possible as she would not have survived the anaesthetic.”
Cassie was found in a state of suffering (RSPCA / SWNS)In mitigation, Moynes said he had mental health issues. He showed signs of remorse and accepted that Cassie should have been taken to a vet, it was said. Moynes of Pimpernel Way, was sentenced at Medway Magistrates' Court on March 20. He pleaded guilty to an animal welfare offence following a prosecution by the RSPCA.
In addition to a 10-year animal ban, he was sentenced to an 18-month high level community order including 180 hours of unpaid community work and 15 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days.