THEY PROSECUTE HER, ELECTRONICALLY TAG HER;
AND KILL HER DOG BECAUSE IT HAD ARTHRITIS.
WITH YOUR MONEY!
A 71-year-old grandmother ordered to wear an electronic tag after failing to have her ailing dog put down has told how she is baffled by the punishment.
Pensioner Pauline Spoor must wear the tag for three months and stay at home between 9pm and 6am as part of a community order handed down by Tameside magistrates.
Mrs Spoor, of Torrington Avenue, Hyde, was slapped with the order after admitting causing unnecessary suffering to her labrador Dexter – but she was not banned from keeping animals.
The dog had to be put down after being found with a string of medical problems including arthritis and conjunctivitis.
After the hearing Mrs Spoor, who has another dog, said: “I can’t understand why they’re tagging someone like me, I’m not going to go out and get drunk and cause trouble – I’m an old lady.
“I don’t go out at night anyway. I’ll have to make sure I’m back from walking my dogs in time but apart from that it won’t make the blindest bit of difference. What does upset me is having to walk around with a tag on like some violent thug.
“I’ve never hurt an animal in my life. I loved Dexter and I think I tried to convince myself he was fine. He was one of my oldest friends and I didn’t want to lose him. I don’t think that makes me a criminal.”
The gran appeared before magistrates along with son John Robinson who admitted the same charge in relation to his own dog, Staffordshire bull terrier Angel.
POLICE BREAKING DOWN DOOR |
Mark Harper, prosecuting, said: “Dexter was dull and lethargic. She (Mrs Spoor) said she had not been to a vet because he was incontinent and no bus or taxi would take him. She stated that she knew he needed putting to sleep but that she had been putting it off.”
Dexter, who was put down the next day, was estimated to be around nine years old although Mrs Spoor claimed he was 18.
Robinson, 30, of Wardle Brook Walk, Hattersley, signed Angel over to the RSPCA and she was later re-homed.
Angela Fitzpatrick, defending, said unemployed Robinson was struggling financially but had tried to treat Angel himself.
The court heard that both defendants owned other dogs, one of which had been rescued from a dog fighting ring.
Miss Fitzpatrick said: “He had taken steps and the steps weren’t sufficient but that’s not the same as wilfully neglecting an animal, it’s trying your best when your best doesn’t actually work. They loved their dogs – a ban would be a crippling blow.”
Robinson was handed a 12-month community order and must carry out 100 hours of unpaid work. He was banned from keeping animals for a year. Both must pay £250 costs.
http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/s/1426916_i-dont-go-out-at-night-anyway-im-71-gran-speaks-out-after-she-is-ordered-to-wear-electronic-tag-for-neglecting-her-pet-dog?rss=yes&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Technology-News-ManchesterEveningNews-RssFeed+%28Technology+-+News+-+Manchester+Evening+News+-+RSS+Feed%29
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2011/07/17/gran-71-gets-electronic-tag-for-not-having-her-sick-dog-put-down-115875-23275586/