A cruel dog owner has been found guilty of neglect after the “gentle giant” was found roaming the streets – with a rotting TAIL.
John Humphries-Cuff, 37, was ordered to undertake 240 hours of unpaid work and pay £1,000 in court costs.
Animal welfare charity RSPCA began an investigation after a council dog warden found Canary Mastiff, Goffio, wandering the streets of Frampton-on-Severn, Glos.
An RSPCA inspector said the dog was significantly underweight, with sores that had been there for “months and months”, as well as his tail having “completely rotted”.
Inspector Philip Mann, who investigated, said: “Goffio is such a lovely, friendly dog, he’s a real gentle giant.
“It’s heartbreaking to think he was left to suffer without the veterinary care he desperately needed.
“Goffio was a security dog, but sadly he wasn’t given the security from pain and suffering that he deserved in his own life.”
Humphries-Cuff denied knowing about the condition of his dog’s tail, claiming he had not seen his dogs in daylight for several days.
He also told the court he had been treating the sores himself with antiseptic spray.
Following a two-day trial, he was found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering by failing to provide suitable veterinary care for the necrotic and infected tail, contrary to Section 4 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
He was also found guilty of failing to provide veterinary care for the open sores, contrary to Section 4 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
And, finally, he was found guilty of failing to meet Goffio’s needs by not ensuring he maintained a suitable body weight, contrary to Section 9 of the 2006 Act.
Inspector Mann said: “Thanks to the hard work and dedication of our team at Stubbington Ark RSPCA Animal Shelter, and particularly Hannah Nandhra, Goffio has now recovered and is doing great.
“I’d like to express my gratitude to Stroud District Council’s animal welfare officers and Teckles Animal Sanctuary who helped him when he was found straying and raised concerns for his welfare.”
The RSPCA hopes to rehome Goffio if no appeal is lodged within 21 days.
