Neglected dog’s claws worst RSPCA officer had seen in more than 20 years

An abusive pet owner who neglected his dog so badly it had to be put to sleep has narrowly avoided jail.

RSPCA inspector Vicki McDonald said six-year old Staffordshire Bull Terrier Bentley’s claws ‘were the worst I have seen on a dog in my 20-year career’ after she was called to a house in Blackburn following concerns for his welfare.

Bentley’s claws were so overgrown they had become painfully embedded in his pads, and he was found to be in so much discomfort that he had trouble walking.

He was also suffering from a bilateral ear infection and a chronic skin disease which had caused extensive fur loss and scabs from head to toe.

Despite extensive treatment in the following weeks, Bentley’s condition was so severe that the vet said it was detrimental to his ongoing welfare and that it was in his own best interests to put him to sleep to prevent further suffering. 

She said had he received appropriate treatment sooner, his condition could have been managed.

His owner, Ian Podmore, has now been banned from keeping dogs for a decade after he admitted two offences contrary to the Animal Welfare Act, following a prosecution by the RSPCA.

He was also given an eight-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, on both charges to run concurrently.

At a sentencing hearing on 28 February, Blackburn Magistrates Court heard how RSPCA inspector Vicki McDonald had visited Podmore’s home after the charity was contacted about concerns for Bentley’s welfare.

‘I was immediately struck by how thin he was and that he had an extensive skin condition and fur loss. I could also see that his claws were overgrown,’ said the inspector.

‘Bentley’s skin was very red, smelly, crusty and thickened and there were sores present with extensive fur loss. His ears appeared infected.

‘His claws were significantly overgrown with several so long they had pierced the pads and become embedded and infected. They were the worst I have seen on a dog in my 20-year career.

‘His skin condition had caused what fur he had to contain head to toe scab-like patches giving him the appearance of being mottled.

‘Ian Podmore stated he had owned the dog for about 18 months to two years and that he was not on any veterinary treatment. He showed me some over the counter dog shampoo he said he had tried using but it had not resolved the problem.’

Bentley was taken to the RSPCA’s Greater Manchester Animal Hospital for immediate veterinary treatment by inspector McDonald. 

His claws were causing him so much discomfort that he had to be sedated so he could be examined and treated without causing further pain or trauma.

Podmore- who had received a written caution in 2019 in relation to another dog- was advised that he would need to be interviewed in relation to animal welfare offences and subsequently signed Bentley over into the charity’s care.

A vet from Greater Manchester Animal Hospital gave evidence to the court. She said: ‘Given the severity of Bentley’s condition on presentation, in my opinion he will have suffered for many days, as a minimum, likely longer. 

‘The low body weight will have taken many days or possibly weeks to have developed and would have left him experiencing weakness and debilitation.

‘Ultimately Bentley had endured suffering unnecessarily. Regardless of the cause of the emaciation, ear disease, eye disease and skin disease and whether treatable or not, veterinary treatment should have been sought much earlier in this case.’

Sentencing Podmore, the district judge said she had been shocked by the photographs shown to the court. 

The 41-year-old was also ordered to carry out 13 rehabilitation activity requirement days and told to pay costs of £100 and a £128 victim surcharge.

Speaking after the conclusion of the case, inspector McDonald said Bentley’s suffering was completely avoidable and unnecessary. 

‘Had he received help earlier he may well have survived. It’s imperative that people seek veterinary advice if their pet is showing signs of poor health and ask for help if they find themselves in a situation where they are not able to cope or meet their pet’s needs.’

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