Life ban after greyhound left to starve
A retired racing greyhound was left so malnourished she plummeted to half her normal weight, a court heard.
Unemployed Brian Brunton, 49, was banned for keeping animals for life after he admitted causing unnecessary suffering to the dog.
Magistrates at Cheltenham were told Brunton, of Countess Lilias Road, Cirencester, struggled to feed six-year-old Tara after he stopped work because of an accident.
The alarm was only raised when the dangerously underweight animal escaped from Brunton's flat and was spotted by a neighbour, the court heard.
Crown Prosecutor Charlotte Mitchell said: "Tara was very weak, dehydrated and her muscles had wasted.
"She had been starved over a period of weeks rather than days.
"She should have weighed up to 30kg, but on discovery weighed just 15kg. After she was rescued she was constantly hungry."
Inspectors swooped on Brunton's former address in Siddington, near Cirencester, to rescue the animal in May 2008 following an investigation.
Brunton had init- ially denied he was responsible for Tara's emaciated condition, but changed his plea to guilty when due to stand trial yesterday.
Defending, Wendy Kingsbury, said Brunton had made efforts to have Tara rehomed after being forced to stop work due to injury.
She said: "He placed an advert in the local pet shop which was replied to, but he did not manage to rehome the dog."
Magistrates ordered Brunton to complete 100 hours of unpaid work as part of an 18-month community order.
He was also ordered to pay £500 towards the cost of the RSPCA prosecution. He will not be allowed to make an application to revoke the ban for five years, magistrates ruled.
Speaking outside court, RSCPA inspector Chris Simpson said that Tara "could barely stand" when she was rescued.
He said: "This was a very serious case for which the magistrates were considering a custodial sentence. It underlines that even if you are having financial difficulties you must not let caring for your pet slide." Mr Simpson said Tara had fully recovered from her ordeal and had been rehomed.
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by Tricia Morrison, Gloucester
Sunday, June 21 2009, 6:44AM
“Never any excuse to let Tara starve. Plenty of rescues that would have taken her in. Its about time these animal abusers were locked up and not allowed to get away so lightly. Dogs with people that beg on the streets are far better looked after and how much money do they have?”
by Bryan Leach, Harlow
Friday, April 10 2009, 3:28AM
“Why not a prison sentence.?”
by Valarie, California
Thursday, April 09 2009, 10:31PM
“Another example of the life many retired racing Greyhounds have. There is a tragic surplus of these dogs, all due to the over breeding for racing. Ban racing, and the problem will subside.”
by julie, glos
Thursday, April 09 2009, 6:55PM
“couldnt you just let the same thing happen to the person or thing that did this to this defenceless animal? how could this thing sit and fill his own mouth when the poor dog was starving. also when is the racing industry going to do more to protect greyhounds????”
by Lisbeth Mønsted Larsen, Denmark
Thursday, April 09 2009, 6:30PM
“Yet another case of a starving greyhound. Sadly not the only one. I picked up a greyhound in December 2008. I have named him Tristan. He was sadly neglected and yes very thin almost emaciated. His teeth were blakish grey from tartar. He is now doing very well and is deeply loved. I have three ex-racing greyhounds I could not eat if they diden´t get any food. How can this individual live with himself?.I must add that I am the ninth owner of Tristan. However he has his forever home with me no matter what it costs my greys and whippet come first. There should be stricter follow ups on the owners of retiered greyhounds . So that none of them face the kind of Life poor Tara was forced to live in. When is there going to be more emphasis on the greyhounds rather than the racing itself? When is enough enough. I say it is high time there was more than self regulation within the racing industry?Lisbeth Mønsted Larsen Greyhound Action Denmark.”
by Jackie, Kent
Thursday, April 09 2009, 5:28PM
“I totally agree with Clive Ellis, yet again another tragic story of abuse to this breed who seem considered worthless after the money-making is over. Until racing is banned I fear this kind of tragedy will continue.”
by t, gloucester
Wednesday, April 08 2009, 12:49PM
“how could he sit there and eat a meal knowing his dog is there starving and half its normal weight. SAD. i don't understand how people can be so cruel to animals, they have feelings just like us. poor dog, i'm glad she found a new home and hope she is happy.”
by Katy, cheltenham
Tuesday, April 07 2009, 5:42PM
“This is appalling neglect. The owner does not look like he has gone without food and made little effort to rehome this helpless animal. I am glad to hear Tara has recovered and given a new home.”
by Susan, USA (Formerly Gloucester)
Tuesday, April 07 2009, 5:24PM
“Oh my goodness, how sad for this poor beautiful animal. I am so glad he got out of the building and was spotted, otherwise he would probably by now have starved to death. God bless the neighbour that called in the neglect charge.”
by Margaret, Gloucester
Tuesday, April 07 2009, 4:48PM
“It's rubbish to say he was struggling. If I only had enough money for one meal, the dog would get it, and I would go without. Simple.”