A South London man who left his XL bully’s health deteriorate without seeking vet attention has been banned from keeping animals for 10 years after a prosecution by the RSPCA.
The bulldog called Raynor was in an emaciated condition and was in pain with severe ear disease when owner Nicholas Johnston took her to a PDSA clinic in Croydon on February 23 last year (2024). The health of the canine, whose ears had been cropped previously, was so poor that a vet decided the kindest of action was to put her to sleep.
The defendant had presented the dog to the PDSA in June 2023 when she was put on steroid medication for the infection which had left her ears thickened and inflamed. But he failed to attend a follow-up appointment in July of that year and was not heard of or seen again for eight months.
Johnston (D.o.B 6/5/1964), of Norbury Avenue, Croydon, pleaded guilty to one offence under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and appeared at Croydon Magistrates’ Court on February 17 for sentencing. As well as the ban he was handed an eight-week prison sentence which was suspended for 12 months. Under the suspended sentence order he will have to abide by a curfew for four weeks and complete 15 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement (RAR) days.
RSPCA Animal Rescue Officer (ARO) Yalina Blumer attended at the PDSA clinic and said the dead dog’s ribs and spines were clearly visible and her cropped ears looked “very inflamed”. The dog had a body condition score of two out of nine, which is very underweight
The charity made enquiries to locate the owner who was not at the property when an RPSCA officer went around, although eventually, the defendant got in touch and agreed to be interviewed.
In a statement to the court, a PDSA vet said Johnston initially brought Raynor to be examined on June 23, 2023 as the dog had been troubled by sore ears for six months. Raynor was found to have cropped ears, a procedure which is illegal in the UK.
The vet prescribed steroids and antibiotics and in a phone check-up on July 7 Johnston reported the dog’s ears were improving. The defendant asked if the canine could undergo surgery to remove both his ear canals, but was told the procedure was too high risk.
The vet stated: “During this appointment, the owner raised a concern that he felt Raynor was losing weight so he was prescribed further steroid medication for 30 days and advised to have a recheck in three weeks, but the owner did not arrange, nor attend, any further appointments until February 2024.”
The vet added that Johnston was unable to explain what he fed Raynor, but claimed that “neighbours would sometimes throw food over the fence into his garden for the dog to eat”.
An examination showed evidence of long-term changes to the dog’s ear canals which had narrowed with thickened tissue to such an extent the vet could not use an otoscope to inspect them.
“I am of the belief that Raynor undoubtedly suffered for a period of at least three months as the defendant failed to take reasonable steps to ensure she had a suitable diet and failed to protect her from pain, suffering and disease,” concluded the vet.
In mitigation, the court was told Johnston had housing and mental health issues and was remorseful for his actions. He had not been responsible for the illegal cropping of the dog’s ears, it was said.
Speaking after the sentencing, ARO Blumer said: “This poor dog’s ear disease was left to get progressively worse and she was in great pain when the defendant finally took her to a vets, some seven months after he was advised to return for a check-up. Pets are completely reliant on their owners to ensure their needs are met and they are kept safe and healthy.
“Owning an animal is a privilege – and ensuring appropriate veterinary care when they need it is a key part of the responsibility we have towards them.”
