A Brading man has admitted causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal after his dog was so unwell it had to be euthanised.
Stuart Squibb, 26, of Lower Furlongs, pleaded guilty to 2x causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal contrary to the Animal Welfare Act 2006 when he appeared at the Isle of Wight Magistrates Court on Tuesday (15th August).
A prosecutor, on behalf of the RSPCA, told the court that in January 2023 Squibb’s 11-year-old Whippet, ‘Weasel’, was taken to the vet due to her being severely unwell.
Veterinary surgeons noticed that the canine was unable to walk due to a weight-bearing issue and that she was underweight. She was dribbling urine and vets discovered she was suffering from osteoarthritis and limb deformity.
Sadly, with her prognosis poor and her health deteriorating, Weasel was euthanized that same day.
Squibb had previously pleaded not guilty to the 2 offences but changed his plea at Tuesday’s hearing.
Defending, Michael McGoldrick said that the 26-year-old admitted that he tried his best by seeking help and advice on the issues that Weasel was suffering from, but that his best obviously wasn’t good enough stating that there was more he could’ve done to help her.
Magistrates ordered the case be adjourned to allow a pre-sentence report to be compiled.
Squibb will next appear before a bench of Magistrates on 22nd September.
Put the owner down., people who own dogs should be vetted
to see if they are responsible to own a pet.
Very sad story, if vets werent so expensive maybe things like this wouldnt happen, the dog was old, cant help feel sorry for the dog and owner.
Yes it I is a sad story and the rip off vets are putting hard up owners of any pet off seeking help, but there is absolutely no excuse to let any animal suffer unnecessarily. Call the R.S.P.C.A. and they will advise as to what action to take and how to afford any treatments required. To do absolutely nothing is disgusting.
I presume you think all the vets on the island are closing down due to the unbearably massive profits they are making?
Vets spend years training like doctors so should they not charge for their time and expertise and the companies selling the medicines charge a fortune so they have to pass on this to the customer. Do you realise what we’d have to pay for our health if there was no nhs? There’s pet insurance too. There is no excuse for letting an animal suffer.
You feel sorry for the owner? Owning a pet comes with responsibilities. There’s never any excuse to let animals in your care suffer.
There are now so many people who should not have the privilege of owning a dog. They have no idea what they are doing. They don’t train the dog, they don’t socialize it with other puppies, friendly dogs or people outside the family unit.
Dogs need a lot of time, patience and love given to them and of course, to be taken to the vet if they become unwell and as we know, vet fees are not cheap.
Low life have their scattered clones all treated , fed and clothed by us , so presumably they will expect us to fund their choice of having a pet as well as their costly offspring now.
This guy needs eviction and to beg for food and shelter
Should have done more !!!!!
Should never have been allowed to own a dog !
(Or any other animal).
When you take on an animal you
take the responsibility to ensure it’s health and wellbeing for life …
And yes I know the cost of living is causing problems but that’s no excuse for cruelty…..
There is always a solution, ask for help….
Squibb has always been scum
If you bring a dog into your family, you should treat it the same as you’d treat your own baby if it becomes ill. No excuses work for this particular scumbag, and I hope the court hammer him. At the very least, he should get a lifelong ban from ever being a pet owner again. The fact is, no vet would turn you away if you arrived with a very sick animal. Arrangement to pay in instalments can be agreed, and there are also several charities who will help with vet bills. This case highlights the need for a change in the law. If you buy a dog, compulsory insurance purchasing should be in place. If you can’t afford insurance, you can’t afford a dog. Simple. Throw the book at this low-life.