Colwyn Bay - Colwyn Bay couple's Labrador allowed to starve until it was 'skeletal'

Colwyn Bay couple's Labrador allowed to starve until it was 'skeletal'

Published date: 04 July 2014 | 

Published by: Staff reporter
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A COLWYN Bay couple were banned from keeping dogs for three years after failing to feed their “skeletal” black Labrador properly.

Ken Farrelly, 59, and Julia Farrelly, 46, admitted that between February 11 and March 4 at Llanelian they caused unnecessary suffering by failing to adequately explore and address the weight loss.

They must pay £900 costs each.

Solicitor Tudur Owen, prosecuting for the RSPCA, told magistrates at Llandudno it was a case of omission rather than a deliberate cruel act.

An inspector for the charity had visited the couple’s home. “He saw a dog in very poor bodily condition, skeletal in appearance,” the prosecutor said.

Neither water nor food was present and there was a soiled plastic dog bed.

According to a vet the dog, called Milly, was probably 25 per cent underweight. “Fortunately the dog made an excellent recovery just by feeding,” Mr Owen added.

Defence solicitor Carla Forfar said there was a history of Milly being “a little on the skinny side.”

Mrs Farrelly had the dog for twelve years and the pet had periods of weight loss.

Milly had been in a stable block on their smallholding while they were selling their home.

Mrs Forfar said :”They did feed her every day. They didn’t feel they neglected her.”

Milly had been signed over to the charity. “They are very anxious about disqualification. I urge it is restricted to dogs,” the solicitor told the court.

“It has been an issue of omission and fortunately Milly seems to have recovered in a matter of weeks.

Mr and Mrs Farrelly have very much learned their lesson.”