Dog owner banned for 10 years after Marley dies from neglect

A man from Ynysybwl has been banned from keeping animals for 10 years after his dog Marley’s serious skin condition led to the animal being put down

Jamie Selby, 33, of Robert Street, Ynysybwl, pleaded guilty to failing to ensure the needs of his crossbreed canine were met.

The RSPCA investigated reports that Selby was keeping a dog in a crate at his home for lengthy periods. Marley was found suffering with hair loss and warty lumps on his back.

RSPCA Inspector Sophie Daniels visited Selby’s home on 15 September last year and found four dogs being kept in three crates, including Marley. She gave general advice about Marley’s hair loss and skin condition and offered a voucher to help with veterinary costs.

However, despite follow-up calls from the RSPCA, Selby failed to take action. When Inspector Daniels returned two months later, he refused to let her in.

On 1 April this year, Inspector Daniels and colleague Inspector Emma Smith, accompanied by a police officer, attended with a warrant and seized Marley.

In a statement presented to the court, Inspector Daniels said: “Marley was barking in a dog crate which was covered with a sheet and a chair was pushed up against the door of the crate. The dog had thinning hair and hair loss over the back end, while the warty masses which had been seen earlier were still present down his back and over his rump. There was also a large mass that had not been present when I saw the dog before to the left side of the anus.”

A vet who examined Marley said the canine had been suffering with a chronic skin disease for at least six months, as well as a perineal hernia which was blocking the bowel. Because of complications with the hernia, Marley became so unwell that it was decided the kindest thing to do was to put him to sleep to end his suffering.

Appearing before Merthyr Magistrates’ Court on 22 October for sentencing, Selby was handed a 12-week custodial sentence, which was suspended for 12 months, and told to attend 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days. He was also made subject to a nine-month mental health treatment order and told to pay court costs of £400 and a victim surcharge of £154.

Speaking after the sentencing, Inspector Daniels said: “The defendant had ample time to take Marley to see a vet, but failed to engage with us and also refused the offer of vet vouchers. The hernia was not present on our earlier visit, but the owner was advised about the dog’s skin condition and why he needed to take action. Whether the hernia would have developed anyway we don’t know but this poor dog suffered for a lengthy period when that need not have been the case.”