Labrador was left with large piece of skin hanging off mouth wound

A woman from Pembrokeshire who failed to get her dog’s facial injury treated by a vet has been banned from keeping animals for 10 years after a prosecution by the RSPCA.

The black labrador, who is called Andy, was left with a large piece of skin hanging from an infected wound, which may have been caused by a burst abscess. The dog was also underweight when the animal charity investigated but has since gone on to make a good recovery in RSPCA care.

Andy’s owner, Candice Mottram, (D.O.B 19/8/1993), of Milton Crescent, Milford Haven, pleaded guilty to failing to meet the needs of her dog under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and was sentenced at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on January 15.

As well as the 10-year disqualification, Mottram was also handed a prison sentence of 18 weeks which was suspended for 18 months. She was ordered to complete 25 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement (RAR) days and she agreed to be fitted with an alcohol tag for 120 days as part of her sentence.

The court was told that the RSPCA attended the defendant’s home on April 5 last year after a call to the RSPCA from Dyfed-Powys Police saying there was a dog in distress at the property. RSPCA Animal Rescue Officer (ARO) Paula Milton found the dog with the wound and established  he had received vet treatment.

ARO Milton said in a statement presented to the court: “Andy had a huge flap of skin hanging from the left side of his face. There was a very strong smell of infection and where the skin had come off his mouth was bright red.

“The defendant told me the last time the dog had seen a vet was two weeks previously.”

The inspector took the labrador to the vets and later that day Andy was taken into the care of the charity. Checks with the vets by RSPCA Inspector Keith Hogben revealed the canine had not been seen since 2021.

A vet who examined Andy stated that he was in a poor body condition with his ribs and pelvic bone visible, scoring two/three out of nine in a Body Condition Score (when five is an ideal weight). He said the injury, which was “extended and with a purulent discharge and foul smell”, was either an old wound or a burst abscess.

Andy underwent surgery to remove the skin flap and the wound was treated.

In mitigation, the court was told that Mottram has severe problems with alcohol abuse and suffers from mental health issues.

The district judge, who sentenced the defendant, said Mottram’s behaviour was “inexcusable and shocking”. She will also have to pay court costs of £400 and a victim surcharge of £154.

Andy (pictured now) spent time at one of the RSPCA’s animal centres before being placed with a foster carer. His wound has healed up, he has put on weight and he will soon be ready to be rehomed.

Speaking after the sentencing, investigating officer Hogben said: “It was a shock to see how bad Andy’s facial wound was. We don’t know how the injury was sustained. He may have caught his mouth on some wire and it became very badly infected. But the wound was obvious and the defendant had plenty of  time to get the poor dog to a vets.

“Thankfully, Andy’s wound healed up nicely and he has been doing really well in the care of one of our foster carers. We are hoping he will be rehomed as soon as possible as he is a lovely dog.”