The owner of a severely neglected dog has been banned from owning animals for life after his pet was found in a dire condition, with 70% of her fur missing and her skin inflamed.
Chris Lee Bufton, 39, from Fernhill, Mountain Ash, appeared in Merthyr Tydfil Magistrates’ Court on June 4. He pleaded guilty to two charges under the Animal Welfare Act related to his eight-year-old Dachshund-cross-bull breed dog, Shiloh.
The charges were that Bufton caused unnecessary suffering to Shiloh by failing to address her skin condition and by neglecting to provide proper care for her dry eye and flea infestation. The court heard that he did not provide adequate treatment for her conditions, which led to significant pain and distress.
A veterinary report stated that Shiloh’s “end-stage dry eye” condition caused her severe discomfort, with every blink being painful due to a lack of tears. The report also noted that Shiloh’s body, apart from a small patch on her neck and chest, was completely bald. Her skin was described as thickened, red, and crusted, and she was suffering from heavy flea infestation.
The court sentenced Bufton to 16 weeks in prison for the first offence, which was suspended for 18 months. For the second offence, he received an eight-week prison sentence, also suspended for 18 months. He was further ordered to complete a 10-day Rehabilitation Activity Requirement and a 12-month Mental Health Treatment Requirement. Bufton was also instructed to pay £500 in costs and a £154 victim surcharge.
“She was collapsed and unable to stand,” DCI Cooper said. “Her body was almost entirely bald, with inflamed skin that was red and thickened. She had green discharge in both eyes, a heavy flea burden, and scabs all over. Shiloh was in a dreadful state, and it was heartbreaking to see her suffering.”
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