Grandmother tagged by magistrates for animal cruelty
A grandmother was hauled before a magistrate and told to wear a tag – all because she couldn’t bear to put her dog down.
Pauline Spoor could not face having her 18-year-old labrador Dexter euthanised, even though he was struggling to walk and was suffering from a variety of ailments.
The RSPCA forced their way into the 71-year-old’s home and found the elderly Dexter to be suffering from a range of medical problems, including arthritis, loss of fur and conjunctivitis. After charging Mrs Spoor with animal cruelty, the poor pooch was taken away and put down by a veterinarian a day later.
On appearing before the beak at Tameside Magistrates, Mrs Spoor, who was a cashier before she retired, pleaded guilty to the charge of animal cruelty. However, she said that she had committed the offence as she was “blinded by love” for Dexter.
The divorcee was spared from going to jail. However, she was ordered to pay £250 costs, and has to wear a tag for three months. Mrs Spoor was also handed down a community order, and will be under curfew from 9:00 PM to 6:00 PM.
Magistrates gave the grandmother her other pet dog Gizmo back to her.
Mrs Spoor stated that she had rescued Dexter 11 years ago, and in that time had been her best friend.
She commented:
“I know I’ve done wrong but I feel absolutely humiliated at having to wear a tag as if I am some common criminal. It just seems so over the top.
‘I was simply guilty of being too blinded by love to deal with the reality of the situation as regards my Dexter.
‘I’ve never hurt an animal in my life and it really hurt my feelings that they would accuse me of neglecting the dog when I just couldn’t bear to part with him. He was a fantastic dog”
