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A dog owner from the UK is banned from keeping any pets for 20 years after two of her eight dogs had to be put down, while four others needed leg amputation, BBC reports.
The dog owner, 60-year-old Margaret Porter reportedly pleaded guilty to five animal welfare offences following an RSPCA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) investigation and prosecution.
Porter failed to seek help despite the horrible condition that the dogs were in, and it being apparent that all eight were suffering, RSPCA said.
The issue began when Porter went to the RSPCA Solent Branch’s The Stubbington Ark with six dogs in carriers in June 2022.
She claimed that the dogs were her sister’s, “Theresa”, who left the dogs with her and ran away, and provided the RSPCA with fake details.
The six dogs were immediately taken to the vet where it was discovered that three of them had a disabled hind leg. On top of that, all six dogs had dirty, matted hair, missing and/or rotting teeth, and long nails.
The dogs were all terrier mix and are named – Dustin (male Terrier Poodle mix), Hopper (male Terrier Poodle mix), Max (female Terrier type), Ellie (female Terrier Poodle mix), Robin (female Terrier Poodle mix), and Nancy (female Terrier mix).
Days after bringing the six dogs to the RSPCA, concerns were raised by Gosport Borough Council about neglected dogs at Porter’s home.
The borough council said that a stray dog had been taken to a vet with two broken legs. And then the following day, Porter had contacted the council claiming that she found a different stray dog.
The RSPCA deemed that the two broken legs on the first dog were not accidental.
Porter was then identified from CCTV footage and officers visited her home and rescued two more dogs from her.
Along with her string of lies concerning the first six dogs, Porter was also revealed to have been deceitful to keep her dogs in breach of her tenancy, and lied to authorities when she realized the dogs needed immediate care.
RSPCA Inspector Hannah Nixon, who investigated for the animal welfare charity, tells Portsmouth News, “Dogs feel pain and suffering just like we do and always deserve to be shown kindness and compassion.”
“Owning an animal is a privilege – and ensuring appropriate veterinary care is a key part of the responsibility we have towards them,” Nixon adds.
Along with the 20-year animal disqualification order, which she cannot appeal for 10 years, Porter was also sentenced to 52 weeks custody, suspended for 12 months at Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court.
BBC reports that surviving dogs have now been placed into loving, forever homes.
Nixon pleas to all animal owners to be responsible saying, “Make sure they [pets] always receive care and treatment from veterinary experts when they need it.”
“If any pet owner is struggling to care for their animal we’d encourage them to reach out to a charity or organization who can help,” she adds.
