Birmingham man banned from owning animals after Staffy found 'very thin and soaked in faeces'

Badar Akhmed, of Brean Avenue, Birmingham, was been banned from keeping animals for ten years after failing to provide suitable care for his dog. 

The 39-year-old admitted animal welfare offences, following an RSPCA investigation which found Staffordshire Bull Terrier Minnie in a condition which 'caused immediate concern'. 

Birmingham Magistrates were told was very thin, with muscle wastage around her head and her spine and ribs very prominent.  

The vet who examined Minnie, said in their report: “She looked like an aged dog with very poor mobility and plaque build up on her teeth but from her microchip we know she was seven years old. 

“Minnie had a very bad smell about her. She was soaked in faecal material, smelly dark brown diarrhoea, with her legs, belly, tail and back saturated with faecal material. In my opinion this did not look like fresh soiling, but more like she has been sitting in her own faeces. 

“She had pressure sores on her hocks and carpal areas, which caused concerns over inappropriate bedding and housing conditions. Minnie was struggling to stand up and walk. Her back legs were only semi-functional- the femurs were bowed. She struggled to walk on them and was dragging them and intermittently collapsing on them. 

"Despite all this Minnie was a friendly pet who liked fuss and was wagging her tail. There was also a semi-dissolved capsule of medication in Minnie’s mouth found on clinical examination which was a yellow and red capsule with white powder inside. I asked Akhmed what it was, but he said he didn’t know. He also didn’t know who gave the medication to Minnie or how she got a hold of it or if she had any other doses of it.”

Akhmed told the vet he’d had Minnie for 10 months and admitted that Minnie was kept in a garage. 

The vet added: “Minnie did not have freedom from pain or discomfort as her back legs would have been chronically painful and she was not on any pain relief. 

"Pressure sores on legs indicate Minnie would not have had freedom from discomfort and gave concerns over inappropriate an environment for her. 

“Her back leg deformity would have interfered with her expressing normal behaviour, such as going for walks, and being kept in a garage may have caused fear and  distress though lack of proper companionship. Minnie was thin and hungry on presentation and did not have freedom from hunger. 

“A responsible owner would have presented Minnie for examination and treatment for her back leg issues when they noticed she was struggling to walk, would have sought veterinary attention when weight loss and poor body condition was noticed, would not keep pet in a garage, would not give or allow unknown medications to be given and would have cleaned Minnie up when rather than letting her sit covered in her own faeces.” 

Sadly, because of the severity of Minnie’s condition, she had to be put down. 

Alongside the ten year animal ban, which he can not appeal to have lifted for five years, Akhmed was also sentenced to a 12 month community order including six months mental health treatment requirement, five rehabilitation activity requirement days, and a seven week curfew between 9pm and 6am. 

He was also ordered to  pay £400 costs and a £114 victim surcharge at the hearing on November 7.