Ten-year dog ban for Rotherham man who failed to treat injured pet

Deli is thought to have given birth to a litter of puppies shortly before a vet treated her

A man who failed to get treatment for his pet's serious leg injuries has been banned from keeping dogs for a decade.

Yasser Hussain, 37, of Aldred Street, Rotherham, admitted causing unnecessary suffering to Deli, his two-year-old Belgian Shepherd.

Deli, who had recently given birth, was found with serious leg wounds that had become infected, the RSPCA said.

Mr Hussain was also handed a community order, told to do 120 hours of unpaid work and ordered to pay costs of £750.

Sheffield Magistrates' Court heard that Deli was taken to a PDSA clinic in the city on 30 June 2022, leading to the vet contacting the RSPCA over concerns for her welfare.

Deli was found to have extensive scratches and bites on all four limbs and infected wounds on her front legs which had been present for several days, the RSPCA said.

A litter of puppies had been born days before but all had died, it added.

Deli has since been rehomed following her recovery, the RSPCA says

Deputy Chief Inspector Sara Jordan, from the RSPCA, said Deli was "in lean body condition and I could see she had extensive wounds on both front legs - notably a large open wound to her right foreleg and an open, draining abscess to the armpit region of her left foreleg".

Mr Hussain told Ms Jordan he had noticed the wound on the dog's foreleg following Deli giving birth, the animal charity said.

At a court hearing in December, Mr Hussain pleaded guilty to one offence contrary to the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

In mitigation, the court heard that Mr Hussain did recognise that Deli needed treatment by a vet, however the RSPCA said later that this recognition had come "very late".

On 6 February 2024, Mr Hussain was given the 10-year disqualification order.

Ms Jordan said: "I believe Deli was caused unnecessary pain and suffering by not having these wounds treated earlier, for this degree of swelling and purulent material these particular wounds had been present for several days most likely."

Deli had since made a full recovery and had been rehomed, the RSPCA said.