Woman Banned From Owning Pets After Dog Suffered Severe Neglect

A woman was sentenced for badly neglecting her dog, which subsequently had to be euthanized. People had reported concerns about the condition of a Labrador in Wednesbury.

The dog, Lucas, was 15 years old and could hardly stand. Vets assessed him and gave him a body score of one out of nine. The garden where Lucas lived was filled with trash and dog waste, with a brown sludge covering the area near the door.

Lisa Leach pleaded guilty to animal welfare charges. The court banned her from owning animals for ten years. She received an 18-week suspended jail sentence, with the suspension lasting for 12 months.

An inspector, deeply concerned about Lucas’s condition, noted that he appeared very thin, even beneath his thick coat. His ribs and hip bones were prominently visible, and he seemed wet and unsteady. The inspector also noticed rubbish, feces, and brown sludge in the cluttered garden, along with scattered dog biscuits near bowls by the door.

Lucas, underweight and weak, lived in a dirty garden. A vet described Lucas as emaciated, assigning him the lowest possible body condition score. Due to his severely compromised health, the decision was made to euthanize him.

Lucas depended on Leach for care but was left to suffer, denied the kindness he deserved in his old age, and lacking the necessary vet care.

Dogs feel pain like people do and deserve kindness at all times. If you struggle to care for a pet, seek help by contacting an animal charity. Don’t ignore an animal in need.

In addition to the other penalties, Leach was also ordered to pay £800 plus £154 as a surcharge.