Croydon mother sentenced after leaving puppy to starve

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier found neglected in Croydon. Pic: RSPCA

A Croydon mother was sentenced to 12 weeks in prison on Monday after her emaciated puppy was discovered in May.

The dog was found on a urine-soaked mattress with a bone sticking out of his leg.

Lorraine Farrell, 46, and her husband Patrick Farrell, 56, pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to an animal due to their failure to provide exercise, an adequate diet, veterinary treatment and protection from dog bites.

Patrick Farrell was too ill to attend the hearing at Camberwell Green Magistrates’ Court on Monday, while Lorraine Farrell, 46, was sentenced to jail for 12 weeks and banned from keeping animals for 15 years.

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier named Caesar was found in May after the RSPCA were called to the Farrell home by police. Caesar was severely underweight and suffering from infected dog bite injuries all over his body, as well as broken bones that had pierced his skin.

Caesar was given treatment but had to be put to sleep two days later on veterinary advice. A vet estimated that Caesar had been suffering for at least three months.

Inspector Becky London from the RSPCA said: “This is a really sad case and was made worse by the knowledge that the dog couldn’t be saved. Poor Caesar had no joy at all in his short life.

“He spent all of his time in an upstairs bedroom while the other dogs lived downstairs. He had a bone infection and septicaemia, and I’ve never seen a dog with an open fracture before – I was shocked. He had pus and blood coming out of his many wounds.”

The couple’s four remaining adult dogs, three puppies and Syrian hamster are being cared for by the RSPCA.

One Response

  1. Laura December 12, 2012

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