A man has been banned from owning pets for 20 years after neglecting his dog, Nova, who was found starving and dehydrated
Cullompton: A guy named Simon Lucas, 39, just got hit with a 20-year ban on owning pets. Why? He left his dog, Nova, in a terrible state. She was found emaciated in a crate, and it turns out he didn’t bother to feed her or give her water.
A vet checked Nova and said she was suffering from severe malnutrition. Someone saw her alone for too long and called the RSPCA. They found her in Lucas’s old flat, which he had just moved out of. Poor Nova had been left there for at least 48 hours.
When the RSPCA and police got in, they found her locked up without any food or water. They rushed her to a vet in Torquay, where she got the care she desperately needed, including IV fluids.
Nova was in such bad shape that her body condition score was just 0.5 out of nine. A vet said she must have been suffering for weeks, maybe even months. It’s heartbreaking to think about how long she went without proper care.
In court, they said Lucas had put a new relationship ahead of Nova’s needs, thinking someone else was taking care of her. He got a 16-week prison sentence, but it’s suspended for a year. Plus, he has to pay nearly £2,180 in costs.
On a brighter note, Nova, who’s about two years old, has made a fantastic recovery. She’s gained weight and muscle tone. Lucas agreed to let the RSPCA take her, and she’s already found a new home!
After the sentencing, RSPCA Inspector Jim Farr expressed relief that Nova was saved in time. He mentioned that Lucas had been warned before about leaving his dog alone. Thankfully, Nova is now in good hands, having been adopted by a staff member at the vet clinic.
