A South Shields man has been banned from protecting animals after his pet canine was discovered lined in fleas and scabs.
Paul Georgeson, 41, failed to make sure veterinary therapy was supplied for his pet Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Zeus. The 13-year-old canine had a pores and skin situation and irritation of the ear, with Georgeson failing to look into the canine’s weight-loss or present parasitic management.
Georgeson, of Devonshire Street, South Shields, appeared at South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court on March 14 dealing with a cost of inflicting pointless struggling to an animal. He admitted the offence.
The court docket heard that in August 2023, RSPCA Inspector Helen Nedley visited Georgeson’s property after animal welfare considerations have been raised. In a witness assertion, she mentioned: “Mr Georgeson opened the again door to the property and let the canine, Zeus, into the again yard. The canine was in poor physique situation and was slender behind the ribs.
“The canine was soiled and lined with dwell fleas and scabs … (he) had misshapen ears and one seemed to be thickened. The canine had lengthy claws, and was repeatedly scratching himself.” In one other witness assertion, a vet who assessed Zeus – who was taken into RSPCA care – mentioned he had a “extreme flea infestation” and was “always shaking/scratching”. She mentioned his pores and skin was thickened and scabby and sore.
Zeus was handled for fleas and worms, and given anti-inflammatories to assist together with his itchy pores and skin. In mitigation, the court docket heard that Georgeson was overrun with animals and was struggling to manage and was not able to taking care of them. Magistrates’ additionally heard that he not had any animals and he was remorseful for Zeus’s physique situation.
Georgeson was given a five-year disqualification order on protecting all animals. He was additionally fined £120 and ordered to pay prices of £858.