Ban for selling injured pit bull

A mother has been banned from keeping dogs for three years after she sold an illegal pit bull terrier which had more than 45 wounds without seeking vet's treatment.

Ceri Louisa O'Neill, aged 49, was also given a four-month night-time curfew, ordered to wear an electronic tag and handed a community order when she appeared before Walsall magistrates yesterday.

She admitted one charge of having in her possession a pit bull terrier, called Lee, at a property in Miner Street, Birchills, in April this year.

And she admitted one charge of not taking steps to ensure the needs of an animal for which she had responsibility were met, by passing the dog untreated to someone she knew was not a veterinary surgeon while it had untreated wounds.

James Cooper, prosecuting on behalf of the RSPCA, told the court the offences came to light when an inspector and police officers visited the premises of a man called Clayton Beard in Cannon Street, Walsall, following a tip-off.

Mr Cooper told the court the inquiry then moved to Miner Street, where O'Neill lived at the time.

He said: "The defendant accepted the dog had been in her possession and that she took it to Beard to be treated by him and in fact sold it to him for £100."

When pit bull expert Jane Robson examined Lee there was evidence of more than 45 wounds, scabs on his face, head, chest and legs. Some were four to six weeks old.

Mr Stephen Scully, defending, said: "Earlier this year her ex-husband brought the dog as a gift. He told her he rescued it from fighting."

He said when the couple split in April 15 the dog was left in her care. She took it to Beard later that day after the animal was involved in a "scrap" with other dogs in Pelsall after her 16-year-old daughter took it to a fair without her permission.

The magistrates ordered O'Neill, now of Lower North Street, Butts, to serve a 7pm-to-7am curfew for four months and pay £250 costs.