A BASINGSTOKE man who failed to get the right care for his German Shephard dog with arthritis has been found guilty of “inhumane” animal neglect.

Mark Daniel, 46 and of Mullins Court, in Oakridge, was accused of causing unnecessary suffering to his female dog named Beauty by not taking her for veterinary care for several weeks and keeping her in “disgusting and unsafe” conditions.

At Basingstoke Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, Daniel failed to attend to stand trial. Despite an application for adjournment by Hita Mashru, defending, District Judge Tim Pattinson ruled that the prosecution could proceed with the case in his absence.

Prosecutor Thomas Blackburn said RSPCA inspectors tried to contact Daniel at his residence on multiple occasions between February and May 2021. The inspector could see rubbish and dried faeces on the floor, through the window of the property, and in the garden during their many visits.

Finally, the RSPCA got the help of police for a warrant to seize the German Shepherd dog from Daniel’s residence.

On May 7, 2021, following the execution of a warrant, Beauty was found upstairs of his home, unable to move.

Mr Blackburn said: “The inspector who executed the warrant has stated that it was the ‘worst house she had set foot in her police career’.”

He said officers who visited the property described the living conditions as “dirty and squalid” and “no place for anybody to live”. They added it was “disgusting and unsafe” with “a smell of decay and rot”.

Beauty was found to have nails on her hind legs that were 3-4cm long, which indicated she was not walking on a solid surface for several weeks.

“The inspectors removed the dog from the property and took her to the Barn Animal Hospital [in Basingstoke]. The veterinary surgeon there found that the dog had severe pain and was suffering for a long time, and she was unable to stand on her back legs. Later the dog was given euthanasia on a humanitarian basis.”

Dr Sean Taylor, a veterinary surgeon at Royal College of Veterinary Medicine, said the post mortem of the dog revealed that she had arthritis and reduced range of movement.

He said: “This was affected by a substantial degree of misuse or disuse of limbs which resulted in muscle wastage.”

The post mortem also found that Beauty also had suspected ligament cancer, but the tumour was an incidental finding, and it may not have contributed to arthritis.

Dr Taylor said Beauty was a ‘senior dog’ in excess of eight or nine years old and who suffered for a significant period of time.

He confirmed that a lay owner could have identified her conditions of difficulty in moving and should have taken her to a vet.

“I am in no doubt that this dog would have suffered. From a pain perspective, this would have been high. The other type of suffering you have to take into account is mental suffering, with the animal being unable to be a dog.”

Finding Daniel guilty of the offence, Judge Pattinson said: “The dog had to go through high suffering in terms of pain.

“This suffering could have been avoided if the defendant had taken care of his dog.

“This is a serious and upsetting case. The prosecution has proved that Mark Daniel failed to provide the care for his dog.”

The judge said he will issue the sentencing after the arrest of the defendant.

Ordering a warrant for Daniel’s arrest, the judge said the evidence submitted by the prosecution was “absolutely overwhelming” and there was “no question of Beauty’s sufferings”.