Dog found so badly neglected his eye needed to be removed
A dog has had to have an eye and 17 teeth removed after he was found in an appalling state.
Jean Audrey Simpson, of Malton in North Yorkshire, England, called the RSPCA to her home recently, concerned about her dog Oscar’s ears.
But inspectors discovered the dog, a Bichon Frise, was suffering from a number of problems.
His entire body was covered in clumped fur, with infections causing “tar-like gunge” to spread across his face.
The fur was so badly matted that vets were forced to remove his eye.
Vets who treated the animal said that it would have taken two years for Oscar to have ended up in such a state.
RSPCA Inspector Alice Cooper, who was called to Simpson’s home, said it was “clear Oscar had extreme and extensive matting over his head, face, ears, legs and feet”.
“His ears were two huge clumps of infected matted fur with green, yellow and black tar-like gunge, spreading out of his ears and across the side of his face,” she said.
“One eye was completely matted over with fur and the other was crusty with green gunk stuck to the eyeball and surrounding area.
“His legs were solid clumps of thick, tightly packed matts and his feet were now large balls of matted fur. I couldn’t see his foot pads, and I could only see the odd nail poking out [of] the matted ball.”
Ms Cooper added Oscar was whimpering and crying in pain as she tried to stroke, touch him or check his condition.
Oscar, who was covered in sores, had an inflammation of the ear canal and needed 17 teeth removed.
Vets were also forced to remove an eye due to permanent damage caused by the matting which left him blind.
“These were all health problems that could have been quickly and easily treated if his owner had taken him for veterinary treatment and had him groomed regularly,” Ms Cooper said.
Oscar came to be in Simpson’s care unexpectedly but she did not take him to the vet after he got an ear infection because she couldn't afford it.
The dog was sedated and vets spent several hours removing the fur - leaving him 1kg lighter by the time they had finished.
Simpson pleaded guilty to neglect under the Animal Welfare Act and has been given a 12-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months.
She’s also been banned from keeping animals indefinitely.
“Oscar has lost an eye and will need medication for the rest of his life but he’s been lucky enough to find a new home with a wonderful couple who absolutely adore him,” Ms Cooper said.
“I appreciate that Ms Simpson didn’t plan on having a dog and that she couldn’t afford to treat him when he needed veterinary care. However, anyone who is struggling to care for their animals needs to ask for help so animals are not left to suffer.”
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