Pembrokeshire woman banned after dog found with facial wound

A Pembrokeshire woman has been handed a decade-long ban from keeping animals after her black labrador was discovered suffering with a horrific facial injury that had been left untreated for weeks.

Candice Mottram, 32, from Milton Crescent in Milford Haven, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on January 15 after RSPCA officers found her dog Andy with a large flap of skin hanging from the left side of his face. The wound was infected, foul-smelling, and the exposed area was bright red.

The RSPCA attended Mottram’s home on April 5 last year following a call from Dyfed-Powys Police reporting a dog in distress at the property. When animal rescue officer Paula Milton arrived, she discovered Andy’s shocking condition.

In a statement presented to court, Ms Milton described what she found: “Andy had a huge flap of skin hanging from the left side of his face. There was a very strong smell of infection and where the skin had come off his mouth was bright red.”

Mottram claimed Andy had received veterinary treatment just two weeks earlier, but when the RSPCA checked with local vets, they discovered the labrador hadn’t been examined since 2021 – four years without proper medical care.

Andy was immediately taken to a vet, who found him severely underweight with his ribs and pelvic bones clearly visible. He scored just two or three out of nine on a body condition assessment, when five is considered ideal. The veterinary examination revealed the injury was either an old wound or a burst abscess with “extended and purulent discharge and foul smell”.

The dog underwent surgery to remove the damaged skin, and the wound was successfully treated.

Mottram pleaded guilty to failing to meet the needs of her dog under the Animal Welfare Act 2006. The court heard she has severe alcohol abuse problems and suffers from mental ill health, but the district judge described her behaviour as “inexcusable and shocking”.

She received an 18-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, and was banned from keeping animals for 10 years. Mottram must complete 25 rehabilitation activity requirement days and agreed to wear an alcohol monitoring tag for 120 days. She was also ordered to pay £400 in court costs and a £154 victim surcharge.

Investigating officer Keith Hogben spoke after the sentencing: “It was a shock to see how bad Andy’s facial wound was. We don’t know how the injury was sustained. He may have caught his mouth on some wire and it became very badly infected. But the wound was obvious and the defendant had plenty of time to get the poor dog to a vets.”

He added: “Thankfully Andy’s wound healed up nicely and he has been doing really well in the care of one of our foster carers. We are hoping he will be rehomed as soon as possible as he is a lovely dog.”

Andy spent time recovering at an RSPCA animal centre before being placed with a foster carer. His wound has now healed completely, he’s gained weight, and he’s ready to find a loving forever home.