Ten year animal bans for Black Country couple after dog was left with untreated bite injuries

Massana Burton Marie Lyons and Munyardzi Vincent both pleaded guilty to an animal welfare offence, following an investigation and prosecution by the RSPCA, at Birmingham Magistrates Court.

The court had heard how two-year-old pocket bully Vatoloco was presented to a vet eight days after experiencing injuries caused by a dog fight and, because of the severity of her condition, which left her with necrotic wounds, vets were unable to save her.

Vatoloco was presented to vets on August 26 due to a dog bite that had occurred on August 18.

The vet who examined Vatoloco, said in their report to the court: “Upon examination there were several wounds all deep, necrotic and foul smelling. 

"There was a large wound on her sternum from the inside of her shoulder. 

"This was extensive and tracked under the skin on the underside of the thorax, the wound contained a large amount of foul smelling blackish necrotic tissue. 

"There were several smaller wounds on the right forearm, similarly deep and necrotic. 

"I determined that the only humane course of treatment was euthanasia as there was very  little chance of recovery from the extent of the wounds.”

Lyons, 35, of Providence Lane in Walsall, who owed Vatoloco, brought her into the practice alongside Vincent, 37, of Woodlands Avenue in Wolverhampton, who said he had treated the wound at home by cleaning and bandaging and administering his own amoxicillin.

In their report the vet said: “Dog bite wounds are deep, contaminated, penetrating injuries. 

"They would typically be treated with extensive cleaning with debridement, and, if necessary, an appropriate course of pain relief, anti-inflammatories and antibiotics. 

"The wounds are typically left open to heal from the inside out as dressing the wound risks trapping infection.

“Without this treatment it would be expected that the bacteria from the mouth of the dog that bit Vatoloco would cause infection in the wound. 

"In my opinion, the treatment course provided by the individual was inadequate for the extent of the injury.

"Also, dressing the wound likely created an environment that trapped the infection which culminated in the wound bursting open on the day of presentation to our practice. 

"Due to the delay in seeking veterinary treatment, the wound was left for the infection to fester and Vatoloco was not provided with any pain relief following the extensive injury. 

"In my opinion this could have been avoided if appropriate treatment was sought as soon as possible after the initial injury.”

Alongside the ten year animal disqualification order, which they can not appeal for five years, Lyons and Vincent were both sentenced to a 12 month community order with 90 days unpaid work and ordered to pay £350 costs and a £114 victim surcharge when they were sentenced at Birmingham Magistrates Court on January 15.

In mitigation, both said they were very sorry and made a huge mistake thinking they could deal with it at home.

RSPCA Inspector Ben Jones, who investigated for the animal welfare charity, said: “Our plea to all animal owners is to make sure they always receive care and treatment they need when they need it”

“Animals are completely reliant on their owners to ensure their needs are met and they are kept safe and healthy. 

"Owning an animal is a privilege and ensuring appropriate care is a key part of the responsibility we have towards them.”