A POLISH woman who admitted causing unnecessary suffering to a dog has been banned from keeping animals for four years and had her 13 dogs seized and rehomed.
Oswestry Magistrates heard that between May 21 and August 21 last year at Bron Vyrnwy, Station Road, Llanymynech, Sylvia Patricia Poniatowska caused unnecessary suffering to a protected animal by failing to provide proper veterinary care.
Poniatowska had been due to appear in court for trial last Friday, but the court heard she was instead attending a dog show in the Netherlands and had instructed her solicitors to change her plea to guilty.
Hugh Williams prosecuting, said an RSPCA inspector visiting the home of Poniatowska and her partner in May 2008, had seen a black chow dog in a small pen with a prolapsed womb clearly visible and had informed the owner the animal required immediate attention and was told this would be acted on immediately.
Another visit, some months later, however, found the animal in the same condition.
The dog was seized and taken for emergency surgery.
In his report, vet David Martin said the dog had clearly been suffering for some months, leading to ulceration of the prolapse which bled on touch. He said he had never seen such a large prolapse and had therefore sought guidance from the University of Liverpool before proceeding with the operation, with the animal making a full recovery.
In interview, Poniatowska said she had taken the dog to the vets and was told to return in two months when the swelling had gone down, but could not afford treatment.
The court heard Poniatowska’s partner had been ordered to pay more than £3,000 and received a two-year disqualification from keeping animals after he admitted limited involvement with the dog.
Bob Freeman, defending, said the animal had suffered a natural problem and had been taken to the vet, but serious family problems had meant the treatment was not carried through, adding: “This is a lady who has the interests of dogs at heart.”
With her partner having paid part of the costs, which amounted to more than £8,000, magistrates fined Poniatowska £525 reduced to £460 with a £15 victim surcharge, £3,942 to the RSPCA and £1,111.96 in vets fees.
Poniatowska was also banned from owning, keeping, dealing or transporting any animal for four years and an order was made transferring ownership of her 12 other dogs to the RSPCA, all of which have been found new homes.