Ban for man who left Simba 'looking like a hyena'

A vet said Simba, a German shepherd, could have been mistaken for a hyena such was his condition

A man has been banned from keeping animals for life after he failed to take his puppy to the vets, leaving it looking like a "hyena".

Paul Crooke, 61, of Axminster Close, Hull, admitted to causing his German shepherd, Simba, unnecessary suffering by not investigating his severe condition.

The 10-month-old had lost weight and was also afflicted by a skin disease, conjunctivitis and fleas. Despite treatment, further issues were found and he was euthanised, the RSPCA said.

At a sentencing hearing at Hull Magistrates' Court, Crooke was given an 18-week jail term, suspended for 18 months. He was also told to pay £400 in costs, a £154 victim surcharge and complete 15 days' rehabilitation.

RSPCA animal rescue officer Mollie Masters visited Cooke's home in November last year to investigate reports of a "skinny" dog.

Ms Masters said the pet was "red raw" with scabs, had pus coming out of his eyes, and said his hip bones and ribs were visible.

She described it as "one of the worst cases" she had seen and added Simba "did not resemble a German shepherd".

According to the RSPCA, a vet said: "The dog was missing so much fur and had such sore infected skin that it would not have looked entirely out of place if presented as a hyena in a zoo."

Simba's claws were also long and overgrown, suggesting he had not been on a walk outside for a long time. The vet said he had suffered for at least eight weeks.

A vet said Simba was so hungry he tried to eat inedible objects around the surgery

Crooke refused to sign the pet over to the RSPCA, saying his sister had bought him for £900.

In mitigation, Crooke was described as an "inexperienced pet owner" who had not set out to harm Simba. He was said to have "overestimated his own abilities".

The defendant had suffered personal trauma with the death of his partner and was said to have "stepped up to the mark" in caring for his 13-year-old son.

RSPCA inspector Dan Richardson said: "We hear a lot about people being worried about taking their pets to the vets, with the cost of living on the rise.

"That may be true, but when animals are sick they must get the right treatment."

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