Ebbw Vale Man Banned from Keeping Mammals After Dog Eye Injury

An Ebbw Vale man has been handed a community order and banned from keeping mammals for 12 months after failing to seek veterinary care for his dog’s serious eye injury 🐕⚖️

Leroy Christopher Wall (35), of Victoria Lane, appeared at Bristol Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, 25 June and pleaded guilty to one offence under the Animal Welfare Act. The court heard he caused unnecessary suffering to his nine-month-old Patterdale terrier, Blackie, by failing to provide timely veterinary care for an injury to his left eye.

The injury occurred when Blackie was attacked by another dog during feeding time. Wall admitted he knew the dog needed veterinary care but had not sought it for three days. When RSPCA Animal Welfare Officer Shannon Guppy examined Blackie on 19 September 2024, he had what “appeared to be a severely bulging eye.”

Police took Blackie into possession and surgery was carried out to remove his eye. A vet said that by failing to seek veterinary attention, Wall had “failed in their duty of care and left him suffering unnecessarily for three to six days” with no treatment to relieve his pain.

The court heard in mitigation that it had not been deliberate disregard, and Wall tried to deal with the injury but was not equipped with the means or access to a vet, acknowledging he should have done more.

Wall was sentenced to a 12-month community order with 40 hours of unpaid work, 10 days Rehabilitation Activity Requirement and was disqualified from keeping mammals for 12 months. He was also ordered to pay £1,000 and a victim surcharge of £114. The disqualification order was suspended for 14 days to allow time for the RSPCA to seize other animals under his care.

Blackie, who recovered well from surgery, has officially been transferred into RSPCA care and will soon be released for rehoming.

Following sentencing, RSPCA Deputy Chief Inspector Gemma Black said: “Blackie was suffering and the pictures of him with his severe eye injury are extremely upsetting. We urge owners not to wait or put off veterinary attention.”