A DOG owner who failed to treat a tumour bigger than a tennis ball on her pet’s leg was banned from keeping animals for five years.

At Abergavenny Magistrates’ Court on Monday, Sarah Taylor, 38, of Winston Road, Trevethin, pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to an animal betweenMay 10 andMay 31, 2012, .

An RSPCA inspector visited her home onMay 31 after concerns were raised about a dog living at the house There she found Buster, a seven-year-old tan coloured mastiff boxer cross breed, with a large tumour bigger than a tennis ball on his leg.

The leg was swollen and sores had formed around it.

He was taken to Summerhill Vets in Newport, where he was also diagnosed with a severe ear infection and treated with antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medication. He was also slightly underweight.

Taylor was interviewed and said Buster had sustained an injury, which caused the tumour, while he was staying with someone else.

The single mother-ofthree said she couldn’t afford veterinary care and tried to treat the wound herself using antiseptic ointment and duct tape to stop further infection.

Gareth Thomas, defending, said Taylor was very distressed about the situation and, unable to fund vets bills, had tried old wives’ remedies instead.

He said the neglect of the dog was unintentional and she was unaware of the ear infection.

Buster has made a good recovery since the incident and is likely to be rehomed.

Taylor was banned for keeping an animal for five years and was fined £75. She was also ordered to pay £100 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.