A mum and daughter have been banned from keeping animals for 10 years after letting their pet dog’s fur get so matted she couldn’t even see.
Candice Dakota Taylor, 34, and her mother Diane Mary Higson, 58, admitted failing to protect their Lhasa Apso, Sade, from “pain, suffering, injury or disease” by not getting her vital vet care.
The 13-year-old pooch was found soaked in faeces and urine, with her tail rock hard and her tiny body riddled with fleas.
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She was also suffering from skin, eye and ear disease and was dangerously underweight when RSPCA officers swooped on the home in Scunthorpe last December.
Her condition was so bad that she had to be put down.
“I was appalled by her condition,” Animal Rescue Officer Mollie Masters, who visited the property after a welfare tip-off, told Need to Know.
“She was severely matted, so much that I was physically unable to see her face.
“Her tail was rock solid and she smelt strongly of urine and faeces.
“On a closer look, she was covered in faeces which was stuck to her matted fur.
“Miss Taylor advised me that she couldn’t take her to the groomers or the vets as Sade bites.”
Shocking details later emerged of wire and chewing gum stuck in the poor dog’s tangled coat, as well as suspected tumours around her back.
RSPCA Inspector Natalie Hill, who investigated, said: “This was a very sad outcome for a dog who had clearly been severely neglected.
“There is no excuse for letting your dog get into such a sorry state.”
The court heard Taylor and Higson claimed they both suffered with mental health issues, didn’t realise Sade was in pain, and argued she was old.
They had no previous convictions and allowed the RSPCA access to the property.
Taylor was sentenced to a 12-month community order, including 15 rehabilitation activity days, and fined £120.
She was also banned from keeping animals for a decade.
Her mum Higson was handed a 12-month community order with five rehab days, plus 40 hours of unpaid work.
She too was hit with a 10-year ban – and her remaining pets, a cat and a dog, will be seized by the RSPCA and rehomed.
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