A MAN from St Clears has been handed a suspended prison sentence after he failed to seek veterinary treatment for a collie with leg injuries. A vet said Floss had “traumatic injuries” but has since found new home.

Dyfrig John Davies, aged 64, appeared at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Friday, September 19 and pleaded guilty to one offence under the Animal Welfare Act.

The court heard that Davies had failed to ensure the needs of a black and white female collie type dog called Floss by not ensuring she was protected from pain, suffering, injury and disease by failing to get proper, necessary and timely veterinary treatment for her leg injuries.

He was sentenced to 18 week custodial sentence suspended for 12 months and was ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £154 and costs of £400. The defendant was also asked to consider making a personal donation towards the RSPCA towards the costs of the dog’s treatment.

In mitigation it was heard that he was remorseful. He had arranged for a gamekeeper to shoot Floss but was let down and accepted should have taken her to them, or taken Floss to a vets. It was heard that this was a one-off and he has learned from it.

In a witness statement provided to the court by DCI Gemma Cooper she said it was on January 12 of this year when she arrived at the farm where it had been reported that there was a dog with bones visible in its leg.

She was informed that Floss had not been to the vets and was shown where Floss was, which was in a garage attached to the house.

She said: “At the back of the garage was a black and white, female collie dog laying on blankets with her back left foot sloughed off and all the bones exposed.

“The bone in her front left elbow was also exposed and she has multiple puncture wounds to her other legs. She was extremely subdued and made no attempt to move.”

She was informed that Floss had been in a dog fight and had been missing for a couple of weeks and had returned the day prior.

DCI Cooper explained that Floss needed to go to a vet and she was taken for immediate treatment.

A statement provided by the vet who saw Floss on 12 January said that Floss had “obvious traumatic injuries”. Additionally, skin ‘punctures/lacerations’ were also apparent on the left forelimb and right hindlimb. They said Floss had significant muscle wastage.

The vet said Floss was cardiovascularly stable at presentation and demonstrated no symptoms of dehydration, adding that she “demonstrated no overt fear to handling and remained in a quiet but alert demeanour throughout my involvement with her.”

Floss was admitted to the hospital for stabilisation and investigations.

Following treatment and surgery - costing £6,000 - Floss recovered from her injuries and was signed over to the Dog’s Trust and has since found a forever home.