December 15, 2017 8.52 am This story is over 74 months old

‘Heartbreaking’: Skegness man banned from keeping animals after dog with golf ball sized tumour put down

“She was in a horrendous state.”

A Skegness man has been banned from keeping animals after allowing his Shih Tzu dog to get into a ‘horrendous state’.

Shih Tzu ‘Skye’ had to be put to sleep after being found with a burst abscess, a tumour and fleas.

The RSPCA appealed for information to find her owner after she was found by a member of the public in March.

Skye was found in a ‘horrendous’ state

Michael Ivan Timms of Wainfleet Road appeared before Lincoln Magistrates’ Court on Monday, December 11 after being arrested on a warrant.

He was previously found guilty in his absence of two counts of causing unnecessary suffering to the dog, under the Animal Welfare Act.

Timms was sentenced to 20 weeks jail suspended for 24 months, disqualified from keeping animals for 10 years, ordered to pay costs of £500 and a £115 victim surcharge.

RSPCA inspector Laura Jones said: “Skye was spotted staggering along Alexandra Road on Sunday, March 19.

“I got the call and rushed her to the vets. I so hoped they would be able to save her, but she was very, very poorly and suffering so much pain that the vet decided the kindest thing to do was the put her to sleep on welfare grounds.

“She was in a horrendous state.

“She had a burst abscess in her mouth which was weeping onto her face, rotting teeth, matted fur and hair loss on her back, a flea infestation, was underweight and had a golf ball sized tumour in her abdomen, which turned out to be non-malignant.

“Despite all she was enduring she was adorable and sweet natured. It was absolutely heartbreaking.”

The court heard that Skye had been missing from home for just over two weeks after being let out into the garden.

Timms had been aware of a problem with her skin and her mouth and had a vet out to her some time in 2016 because she had been in pain, but no records were found of this.

In mitigation, the court heard that Timms was suffering health problems. As part of the sentence, the court deprived Timms of four budgies in his care.