Zoe Marlow
Causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal *
Sentence
6 month community order, £120 fine, 5 RAR days, 5 year ban from keeping dogs
Zoe Marlow, 41, of Kinsale Walk, Wythenshawe, failed to provide adequate care for her 15-year-old brindle and white female Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Laney, causing unnecessary suffering. The RSPCA visited her home in August 2023 following a tip-off about the dog struggling to stand. Marlow claimed the dog had run away and was taken to a vet by someone else, but she admitted the dog had been struggling on her back legs for some time due to lack of finances and transport. The vet found Laney severely emaciated, very weak, unable to stand properly, falling over due to muscle wastage, with a lowest possible body condition score, prominent bones, laboured breathing, an ulcerated mass on her left hip, wobbliness, and difficulty moving. The condition loss was estimated over at least two weeks, and no veterinary care had been sought despite signs of underweight, weakness, and lethargy. Laney was taken to Greater Manchester Animal Hospital and euthanized to end her suffering.
Pleaded guilty to one count of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal. Inspector Rachel Whalley commented that the owner failed to seek veterinary treatment or feed the dog adequately despite clear signs of poor condition.