The ears of the little dog were found bleeding when the charity’s inspector went to investigate
A dog with painful skin and ear conditions which were left untreated and caused the loss of most of her coat, was discovered shut outside her home in Kent on one of the coldest months of the year by an RSPCA officer.
The ears of the little dog were bleeding when the charity’s inspector Georgina Bowles went to investigate at the Old Pond Road home in Ashford, after concerns were reported about “a small dog with missing fur living at the premises”.
She said: “As I approached the property I saw a dog, who I now know to be a terrier X Bichon frisé named Kiki, who was shut outside in the front garden.
“She was wearing a little black hoodie/jacket and I could clearly see from a distance that she was nearly completely bald on her tail and back end but had some fur, albeit minimal, on her feet and head.”
Her owner Becky Lyon, 40, of Old Pond Road, Ashford has been banned from keeping animals for five years after failing to seek medical treatment for Kiki’s “chronic” skin and ear infections.
Lyon was also handed an eight week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, and ordered to pay £700 costs. The case, brought by the RSPCA, concluded on November 28 at Margate Magistrates’ Court.
The dog was transferred into the RSPCA’s care after the welfare check, and made a rapid recovery. According to the charity, Lyon said Kiki’s fur started falling out around five years ago. She claimed her brother took the dog to the vet in a local Pets at Home store for the hair loss, but she was unaware of the outcome.
Inspector Bowles contacted the vet, who told her the last time Kiki had attended an appointment was in 2018, and that was for vaccinations only. During that visit, the vet team provided some flea treatment, as her skin was “scabby”, said the RSPCA.
But since then, Kiki has not been seen by the vet and no medications/flea treatments have been dispensed, said the RSPCA.
Inspector Bowles said: “Lyon expressed to me that she hadn’t taken Kiki to a vet for her skin issue as she was concerned the vets would say Kiki was “neglected” and take her away.”
Lyon also “expressed concern that a vet visit may cost more than £600”, said the RSPCA.The inspector said: “However, Ms Lyon did mention that she was aware of a local charity which assisted people on benefits with discounted veterinary treatments but stated she didn’t take Kiki to see them either.”
The RSPCA Inspector took Kiki to a local vet for an emergency physical examination. The vet said Kiki “was suffering; and she was very itchy and uncomfortable”, said the charity.
The dog’s ears were bleeding, and the vet said, pending swab results, this could have been caused by a mass inside the ear or significant inflammation from scratching. Kiki also had overgrown nails. Skin scrapes were taken and her nails were trimmed.
Kiki was then seized by police and transferred into the RSPCA’s care for treatment.
The charity said: “When Inspector Bowles next saw the dog in mid-January, she was delighted that thanks to treatment under the RSPCA, Kiki had improved immensely. She was in very good condition, her fur had started to regrow and she looked very happy.”
In mitigation, Lyon’s defence team said she had been “experiencing personal problems”, said the RSPCA.
Inspector Bowles said: “It was Lyon’s legal responsibility to care for her dog and she failed to do this. There was no excuse for not seeking medical help for Kiki’s very obvious skin and ear conditions, leaving the poor dog to suffer.”
The RSPCA urges anyone struggling to take care of their pet to ask for help, rather than neglecting them and leaving them to suffer. Further advice is available on the RSPCA website including its dedicated cost of living hub.
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