A woman from Sutton has been fined and banned from keeping dogs for 10 years after animal charity the RSPCA brought a prosecution against her over her mistreatment of her pet Pomeranian. The dog had become so unwell she had to be put down.
Sorry state: little Munchkin weighed less than 2lb when the vet called in the RSPCA
Lisa Radford, 39, of Crown Road, pleaded guilty at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court to an Animal Welfare Act offence. She admitted failing to meet the needs of her dog, Munchkin, who weighed less than 2lb – little more than one-quarter of what a healthy adult Pomeranian would usually be expected to weigh.
The court heard that in February this year, RSPCA officers were called by a vet to investigate concerns about Munchkin.
The four-year-old had collapsed. The dog’s ribs, hips and spine were prominent, and she also had significant fur loss around her rear end. The vet who examined Munchkin reported that Radford told her “she had no concerns about Munchkin’s eating or drinking habits, but always thought she was naturally thin”.
In a statement to the court, RSPCA Animal Rescue Officer Louis Horton said: “Munchkin was very underweight… I could feel every rib bone – and she was extremely nervous.
“The vet told me that Munchkin was so lifeless on arrival, she initially thought she was dead.”
Munchkin was seized by the police and taken into RSPCA care, where she received treatment and a proper diet. She gained 60% of her body weight within a month but never made a full recovery – and due to a collapsing trachea, was euthanised to prevent suffering.
Radford pleaded guilty at the court hearing on October 20. In mitigation, the court heard that Radford’s mother had died recently, she was caring full-time for her youngest child with complex needs, and she had expressed remorse for her actions.
As well as a 10-year ban on keeping dogs, magistrates imposed a 12-month medium-level community order, including 20 days of rehabilitation activity requirement, and a fine of £80. Radford was also ordered to pay £234 in costs.
Anyone concerned about the welfare of an animal can report it to the RSPCA’s cruelty line on 0300 1234 999 or visit the RSPCA website for advice and support.
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