A pet dog was neglected so badly by her owner she had to be put down to save her from further suffering.
Female Shih Tzu, Blossom, was discovered living in a fly-infested two-bedroom flat.
The kitchen had no visible flooring and was littered with rubbish, old food packaging and waste.
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The living room was also heavily cluttered with belongings piled as high as a person.
One of the bedrooms could not be accessed due to the amount of rubbish bags and personal belongings stacked inside.
Occupant Kelly-Ann Frampton, 35, was prosecuted after RSPCA Inspector Rowena Proctor had gone to the address in Walker Park Close, Newcastle upon Tyne, as reported by Need To Know.
Insp Proctor said: “My immediate concern regarding Blossom, aside from her cramped and unclean living conditions, were her overgrown coat which clearly had some matting on the ears and tail but particularly what appeared to be a tumour that was so large that it was almost trailing on the floor as she walked.
“Kelly told me that she had owned Blossom for a year and the lump only used to be the size of a grape.
“She told me the dog had never seen a vet.
“The skin was not currently ulcerated or bleeding, but, in my experience, had the appearance of skin that would become ulcerated imminently.
“This mass may have taken months to years to grow to the current size.
“The dog was also suffering from an untreated skin condition.
“Hair loss and signs of self-trauma suggest this condition, causing physical suffering through skin damage and psychological suffering through the feeling of being itchy.
“This may have been present for weeks to months.”
A vet decided euthanasia was the kindest course of action for Blossom to prevent her from further suffering.
Frampton pleaded guilty to two offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 when she appeared at North Tyneside Magistrates’ Court.
In mitigation, magistrates were told Frampton had taken the dog on from someone else and was struggling with mental health issues at the time of the offences.
She was handed a five-year ban from keeping animals and ordered to pay a £200 fine, a £80 victim surcharge and £200 in costs.
Speaking after the hearing, Inspector Proctor said: “Conditions inside the flat were wholly unsuitable for humans and animals alike.
“We will sadly never know if the mass that Blossom had could have been operable if she had seen a vet sooner.
“It’s really important that those who are responsible for an animal seek veterinary advice at the earliest opportunity if they notice any change in their pet’s health.”
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