RSPCA In The News:

May 16 2012: A woman who left her collapsed Akita dog with maggot-infested wounds out in her garden to die has been banned for life from keeping animals. Medway Magistrates today heard that Julie Helen Walker of Gillingham, Kent, left her 12-year-old Akita named Ruby to die in the back garden. When Ruby was found she was emaciated, infested with maggots and suffering from painful ulcers and an eye condition that made it agony even to blink.

Walker was found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to the dog in August last year at an earlier hearing. When RSPCA Inspector Caroline Doe arrived at the house she found Ruby collapsed and unable to stand. She told the court: "I have never before seen a dog in such a terrible condition. I could literally smell her rotting away, yet she was still alive." Ruby was taken straight to a vet and immediately put to sleep to end her suffering. Walker was asked to contact us but ignored all the messages. When Caroline eventually got to interview Walker she was told that she did not realise Ruby was so ill.

On Monday, 14 May the court gave Walker a 26-week jail sentence, suspended for two years. She was ordered to pay £3,000 costs, given an electronic tag and ordered to observe a curfew from 7pm to 7am for six months.
Caroline added:
"There was simply no excuse for the horrendous way this dog suffered. There is always help available if people can’t cope."

We recently reported a rising tide of animal cruelty.Whilst we show zero tolerance to animal abusers, as a charity, we're struggling to keep up with the demands on our resources. Please, help us to continue to prevent cruelty to animals by making a donation online today. You can make a difference to an animal's life.