Dog owner guilty of neglect faces pet ban

A GLODWICK man whose three bull terriers had wounds consistent with fighting will be sentenced next month over animal-neglect charges.

Arshad Hussain (21), of Brewerton Road, pleaded guilty to eight offences — none relating to dog-fighting — under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 at a previous hearing.

Oldham magistrates heard yesterday that RSPCA officers found dogs Harvey, Brandy and Red in the back yard of his home on March 11.

Each dog was housed in a purpose-built 6ft high kennel but bedding was found in only one of them.

Mark Harper, prosecuting on behalf of the RSPCA, said a vet found the animals had scars and wounds consistent with dogs fighting, with some wounds between one and five days old.

The dogs had pressure sores caused by poor living conditions, and all needed veterinary treatment that had not been provided. They were signed over to the RSPCA and have been successfully rehomed.

During an interview with the police, Hussain said some of the injuries were caused by the dogs fighting among themselves but he could not afford to take them to the vets.

Mr Harper said the total costs paid by the RSPCA, including vet and investigation fees, was £4,746.32 but, because the figure was so high, he would not be asking for a contribution towards legal costs.

He said he would apply for a disqualification order to prevent Hussain from keeping animals.

Arthur Mould, defending, said it was not a dog-fighting case and there were no deliberate acts of cruelty.

He said Hussain did not have the money to properly care for the dogs, adding: “You are dealing with lack of judgement rather than anything deliberate.

“They were all fed and looked after, they were taken out and weren’t neglected to that extent. All of his money was spent on the dogs.”

He added that Hussain, who lives with his parents and is jobless, had been living off a £2,000 injury compensation pay-out but was now penniless.

Ian Edwards, chairman of the bench, said a high level community sentence was being considered due to “intentional culpability” on Hussain’s part.

Sentencing was adjourned until December 8 for a probation report.