Newport woman banned from keeping animals for five years after “bag of bones” dog tied to stairs

Doris Nartey, 53, of Capel Crescent appeared at Cwmbran Magistrates’ Court on 29 April and pleaded guilty to four animal welfare offences.

These were that she caused unnecessary suffering to Staffordshire bull terrier, Rosie, by failing to investigate and address the causes of her poor bodily condition and weight loss, that she failed to meet French bulldog called Boss’s needs to be maintained in an appropriate body condition and failed to meet his need for a suitable environment. She also failed to meet both of their needs for an adequate supply of fresh drinking water.

In January RSPCA inspectors found Rosie tied to the stairs of a property in an emaciated body condition and Boss in a dog crate in the property with no food, water or bedding. Boss was also below normal body condition.

In an interview with the RSPCA the defendant said Rosie had not been to the vets as the weather has been bad and was tied to the stairs as she jumps up at her. Both dogs were in the care of Nartey.

RSPCA inspector Emma Smith said: “It is clear that both of these dogs had been neglected and their needs were not being met. I was just completely shocked when I saw Rosie in such an emaciated condition and tied to the stairs. She was just skin and bones - it was heartbreaking to see.

“When Rosie was taken out of the house, she drank eagerly from a pool of rainwater - she clearly was extremely thirsty. The dogs were immediately taken to a vets and following an examination Rosie was found to be dehydrated, had sores on her feet and was emaciated.

“The vet said she would have been suffering for four weeks due to her poor bodily condition. Boss’s needs were also not met due to his poor bodily condition.”

Rosie and Boss were placed on a specialised veterinary diet in RSPCA care for weight gain and were successfully rehomed from RSPCA Newport Animal Centre to a forever home together.

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At court, Nartey was banned from keeping any animal for five years. She was also fined £180, ordered to pay £400 costs and a victim surcharge of £30.

In mitigation, the court heard that she was remorseful and had been struggling to cope.