A canine whose coat was so matted he was unrecognisable has been remodeled after being rescued by the RSPCA. Barney was discovered struggling with almost 8kg of ungroomed fur ‘full of dirt and faeces.
After undergoing an all-over shave, the Russian Terrier was found to have been carrying an extra 21% of its body weight from the excess hair. The animal charity shaved 7.8kg of matted fur, with staff suspecting it was a result of the dog being left to sleep outside, with no shelter or dry areas.
Barney’s proprietor, Tim Springett, instructed RSPCA inspectors that he believed the breed didn’t want clipping however pleaded responsible to 2 animal welfare offences when he appeared at Margate Magistrates Court. In a witness assertion, investigating RSPCA Inspector Tina Nash mentioned Barney was: “extremely matted, with big clumps of fur hanging off of him that appeared to be full of dirt or faeces and tightly bound to areas around his back”
The vet who shaved Barney said: “The dog had been made to support a coat weighing approximately 21% of his body weight as he moved around. The weight of this coat would have risen considerably when the dog was wet. I am in no doubt that this would cause the animal physical stress as he moved.
“It is my professional opinion, based on the information provided to me, that the person responsible for the care of the dog had failed to provide the dog with a sheltered sleeping area with bedding. The person had also failed to groom the dog over many months and, as a consequence, had left him in a position where he was likely to suffer.”
Springett was discovered to be in breach of the Animal Welfare Act 2006, which states that homeowners should defend the animal from struggling by grooming frequently, and supply the animal with a secure and hygienic setting.
During mitigation, Springett mentioned that he loves dogs and has expertise working with them, and claimed his ill-health was behind the problems. He was given a 5 yr ban on proudly owning animals, in addition to a 12 month neighborhood order.
Barney now seems to be like a brand new canine following his transformation and is being sorted by the RSPCA, the place he’s at the moment in personal boarding. He can be made available for rehoming quickly.
