A man from Birmingham has been handed a ten-year ban on keeping animals after his dog was found in such a poor condition that she had to be euthanised.
Shocking Discovery and Veterinary Evidence
Badar Akhmed, 39, of Sheldon, pleaded guilty to animal welfare offences following an investigation and prosecution by the RSPCA. The case was heard at Birmingham Magistrates' Court on November 7.
The court was told that Akhmed presented his Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Minnie, to a vet. Her general state immediately raised alarms. Minnie was severely underweight, with a body condition score of just 1.5 out of nine, where a healthy score is between four and five.
She suffered from significant muscle wastage around her head, and her spine and ribs were starkly visible. The examining vet noted in a report that Minnie looked like an aged dog with poor mobility and plaque on her teeth, despite being only seven years old.
A Life of Suffering and Neglect
The vet's report described a harrowing scene. Minnie had a very bad smell and was soaked in dark brown, faecal diarrhoea. Her legs, belly, tail, and back were saturated, suggesting she had been sitting in her own faeces for a prolonged period.
She had developed pressure sores on her hocks and carpal areas, indicating concerns over inappropriate bedding and housing. Akhmed admitted to the vet that he had kept the dog in a garage.
Minnie was struggling to stand and walk. Her back legs were only semi-functional, she was dragging them, and she would intermittently collapse. Despite her suffering, the vet described Minnie as a friendly dog who was wagging her tail.
During the examination, a semi-dissolved medication capsule was found in her mouth. When questioned, Akhmed claimed he did not know what the medication was or how she had obtained it.
Court Sentencing and Consequences
The vet concluded that Minnie had been denied freedom from pain, hunger, and discomfort. Due to the severity of her condition, the professional recommendation was euthanasia.
At the sentencing hearing, Akhmed was given a ten-year disqualification order on keeping animals, which he cannot appeal for five years.
In addition to the ban, he received a 12-month community order with a six-month mental health treatment requirement. He was also ordered to undertake five rehabilitation activity requirement days and a seven-week curfew between 9pm and 6am.
The court also ordered him to pay £400 in costs and a £114 victim surcharge.
