Woman sentenced after dog with 'tennis ball sized lump' put down

11 March 2023 , 19:49

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Diane Boyden can't own a pet for the next 10 years (Image: RSPCA)

A woman has been banned from owning a pet for 10 years after her neglectful actions left a poor pooch needing to be put down after a "lump the size of a tennis ball" was found.

Diane Boyden 59, admitted an offence of causing an animal unnecessary suffering. The Blyth woman did not get her Staffordshire bull terrier Teagan the treatment she needed.

RSPCA Inspector Kirsty Keogh-Laws went to Boyden's home in October last year, Chronicle Live reported.

The inspector said in a witness statement: "Teagan appeared to be very underweight - I could clearly see her hips, ribs and spine. She had a large lump on her right shoulder, around the size of a tennis ball. It was hard to touch. She also had a lump on her back leg.

Teagan was underweight and had not been to the vet in years (RSPCA)

"Teagan appeared to be struggling to walk and appeared uncoordinated and disoriented when trying. She struggled to stand for any length of time and appeared confused."

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Keogh-Laws said little Teagan had not been to the vets for several years and the dog was suffering "extreme difficulties" as a result.

According to the vet who assessed the pooch, Teagan was "emaciated and with an ongoing health condition or severe starvation" and may even had chronic kidney disease.

She also reportedly had several masses on her body.

The vet added: "Having this in consideration, I would have concerns that Teagan is suffering. This could have been avoided with regular health checks that could have allowed early detection and therefore immediate action."

Boyden was sentenced at North Tyneside Magistrates’' Court on March 2.

After sentencing, the RSPCA's inspector Keogh-Laws said: "This is a very sad case where a dog suffered because she didn’t get the veterinary treatment she needed earlier. Owners should always take their pet to a vet if there are any concerns about their health to avoid them suffering unnecessarily."

In an unrelated case, a man from Gateshead who beat a dog with metal lead has been banned from keeping animals for a decade.

Mark Brown was sentenced at South Tyneside Magistrates Court on March 7.

Brown, who called himself Defty in court, pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to Staffordshire bull terrier Rocco.

Keogh-Laws was also involved with the case, and said: "This was a vicious attack on a young defenceless animal who had been in Brown’s care.

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"It is completely unacceptable to treat any animal in this way."

Sam Volpe