A court has banned a man from keeping animals for five years after his dog suffered a serious ear infection.
Kemel Hassan, 41, of St Paul's Way, Jaywick, had denied causing unnecessary suffering to Dixie, a cocker spaniel bitch. However, the case was proved against him last month.
Joanna Bradbury, prosecuting for the RSPCA at Colchester Court on Friday, said the dog was handed in as a stray to Bobtails kennels in St Osyth.
It was treated, under anaesthetic, by a vet in Old Road, Clacton, and the RSPCA was called in.
In interview, Hassan said he had been trying to sort out the problem for 18 months. This included taking the spaniel to the vet's, but he did not continue going as he was unhappy with the treatment given.
He also alleged other vets would not help Dixie, because she had been under the care of another practice.
As the dog had behavioural problems, they would not see her without a muzzle, he said.
Hassan had once spent six hours trying, unsuccessfully, to put one on her, Miss Bradbury added.
The court heard the veterinary surgeon had never seen such a bad case of the infection in all his years in practice.
Paul Baker, mitigating, said Hassan had cared for the dog well in most respects and accepted she had picked up the infection.
Although not his dog, he had taken her on despite a tendency to bite and RSPCA advice that she should be put down.
The court heard although the infection cleared up, her behaviour did not improve and she was destroyed.
The bench ordered Hassan, who works at car boot sales, to do a 60 hours community punishment order and pay £500 costs.
Afterwards, RSPCA Insp Jim Farr said: "We are pleased with the outcome. Generally, the dog was fine in itself but the ears were so serious that it had to proceed to this extreme.
"No reasonable, responsible owner would not have recognised the problem and have sought immediate veterinary advice and attention.
"The poor dog had a prolonged period of suffering, which saddens me."
Published Monday, January 6, 2003
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