A woman has been fined for mistreating a dog that had shrunk to just 11 kg under her care.
Emma Marie Stevens, 29, had owned a brown-and-white female crossbred boxer named Bella and admitted offenses under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 at Aberystwyth Magistrates’ Court on Monday.
Stevens, of Maes Y Deri, Talybont, Aberystwyth, admitted failing to investigate and address the cause of a dog’s weight loss or body condition. She also pleaded guilty to keeping Bella in a glass conservatory during hot weather without providing water.
The RSPCA said its staff arrived in June to find Bella living in the conservatory of an unoccupied property without water while her owner was in the process of moving out.
Bella was taken straight to a vet who said she was dehydrated and emaciated. She weighed just 11 kg.
But Bella has now found a new loving home and is settling in well.
RSPCA inspector Holly Brown said: “The poor dog was so skinny, and bones were visible across her body. It is horrible to think what she went through.
“Her body condition was very poor, and the owner failed to address this.
“Leaving a dog in a space like a conservatory is very dangerous. This sad case is an important reminder as to the dangers of leaving dogs in hot, enclosed spaces.
“This suffering was completely unnecessary. But thankfully the dog has now found a loving new home, and is settling in well. Her new family are absolutely lovely and are very taken with her.”