Woman caused ‘unnecessary suffering’ to dogs – court hears

12:02pm Thursday 15th May 2008

AN Abergavenny breeder is accused of letting her dogs 'suffer unnecessarily' after failing to treat them for chronic hip and ear problems.

Lynette Kinsey, 58, formerly of Oak Lodge, Llanvihangel Crucorney but now living in Ledbury, appeared at Abergavenny Magistrates and pleaded not guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to 15 dogs, and separate charges of failing to provide veterinary care and attention to two of these dogs.

The first, a male collie cross named Sparks was examined by a vet Malcolm Ness, after it was taken from Mrs Kinsey's then Abergavenny home on January 22, 2007.

He said Sparks showed a quite severe hip displacement and arthritis, but a failure by the owner to seek immediate veterinary help after the lameness was discovered caused him to suffer.

Vet Simon Doran examined Burmese cross breed Sadie and said that her ears were blocked and scarred because of prolonged disease and infection that would have been going on for months.

It had got so bad that medical treatment couldn't help and the ear canal had to be removed.

Vet Richard Byman inspected another dog that had urine scalding on its hind quarters.

Nigel Weller defending questioned RSPCA inspector Gary Lucas, who had helped take the dogs from Kinsey's house.

Mr Lucas said: "The behaviour of the majority appeared fine. They were keen to get out of the gate, they wanted our attention and seemed to be happy dogs," but added he thought the kennels the dogs were kept in had not been cleaned for days to a week.

All the dogs were taken to the Chepstow Animal Veterinary Health Centre.

Proceeding