A TREDEGAR man has been found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal after he failed to take his dog to be treated for an aggressive, malignant tumour on its neck and an ear infection.

Terence Patrick Lee, 55, of Green Meadow, Sirhowy, did not attend court due to sickness and magistrates found the matter proven in his absence.

Cwmbran Magistrates’ Court sitting yesterday heard Lee was charged with causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

They heard that between June 4 and June 8 last year, his black and white female collie dog, Monty, suffered as a result of him not taking her to the vets for treatment to the tennis ball-sized tumour on the side of her neck and a severe ear infection.

The court heard Inspector Simon Evans from RSPCA Cymru attended Lee’s house on June 8.

In his evidence which was read out in court, Mr Evans said he saw Monty had a growth on the left side of her neck and he took photos.

Following the arrival of police officers at the property, the dog was seized and taken to a vets.

The court heard a vet examined the dog and found the large tumour, which was ulcerated and discharging liquid, and there was a strong smell of infection.

The vet clipped the growth and gave the dog medicine including antibiotics. The vet also discovered the dog had an ear infection and had been suffering from both for some time.

RSPCA prosecutor Thomas Edwards told the court the tumour had been infected for around four or five days.

The bench issued a warrant for Lee’s arrest. He will be sentenced at a later date.