Cruel Sunderland owner blames '˜straying' dog for its own neglect

Levi was found in an emaciated condition.

A woman whose dog was found in a shocking state of neglect claimed it had gone missing for several weeks only to return to her in that condition the day before a visit from the RSPCA.

Sarah Lauderdale’s six-year-old Staffordshire bull terrier Levi was so emaciated when an RSPCA inspector arrived on January 5, that its ribs, hips and sides were prominent, Sunderland magistrates heard.

The animal also had substantial hair loss, flaky skin, visible live fleas and overgrown nails.

Another picture of Levi taken by the RSPCA.

Yvonne Jackman, prosecuting on behalf of the RSPCA, said when the inspector visited Lauderdale’s home in Theme Road, Thorney Close, Levi was in the kitchen, surrounded by dirt, and without food or water.

Mrs Jackman said: “When the defendant is interviewed she gives an account that the animal had strayed and left her address and had been missing for a period of time.

“She said it had only returned the day before the RSPCA had knocked on the door.

“The vet doesn’t accept that for a number of reasons, but we have to prove this.

“She didn’t believe that the animal had been outside for four weeks because of its long claws.”

“We can’t prove the period, that’s why she is charged with one day of suffering. I have never come across that before.”

Mrs Jackman added that the vet who examined the dog recorded the lowest possible body condition score of one.

When given food, the dog ate readily, which Mrs Jackman said indicates that its low body weight was not down to difficulty eating.

Blood tests showed the animal was anaemic, due to inadequate nutrition, compounded by flea infestation, the court heard.

Lauderdale had indicated guilty pleas by letter, to causing unnecessary suffering and failing to ensure the welfare of an animal, both on January 4 and 5.

However, she failed to turn up in court on a previous occasion and the case was proved in her absence. She attended court for the sentencing hearing.

Angus Westgarth, defending, said: “She accepts that on January 4, the dog appeared, having strayed and been missing.