A father and son have been banned from keeping animals for life after one of their dogs was found collapsed and being ‘eaten alive’ by maggots in the garden of their Nottingham home.
Son Van Huynh, 52, and Hai Hunyh, 22, both of Kildare Road in St Ann’s, appeared at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court on Friday (May 4) after pleading guilty to eight Animal Welfare Act offences between them relating to the neglect of three dogs.
WARNING: Graphic images below which some people may find upsetting
As well as a lifetime ban on keeping animals, both were also given a 12 week prison sentence suspended for 12 months.
The court was told the RSPCA became involved in August 2017 after a neighbour contacted the charity about a ‘high-pitched whining’.
When inspector Susan Hammond arrived at the house, she found the whining was coming from a Japanese akita dog, named Skye, who had collapsed and was covered in maggots.
There was a second dog in the garden, a German Shepherd called Gino, and a third dog, a shih tzu called Miko, inside the house living in a poor environment.
None of the dogs had access to an adequate supply of fresh water.
Inspector Hammond said: “Skye was in such a poor condition and had collapsed; she wasn’t able to stand at all.
“Her high-pitched crying was evident that she was suffering a great deal.
“She had open wounds on her body which were covered in maggots – her skin was rotting away and she was being eaten alive.
“Myself and the vet who accompanied me on the visit to the house were really saddened by Skye’s state and she was put to sleep on humane grounds.”
Gino and Miko were taken to a vets where examinations showed Gino was suffering from tumours on his foot and anus – the vet put him to sleep on welfare grounds.
Miko was also put to sleep by a vet after he was aggressive and attacked a member of staff at the RSPCA centre.
The court was told Hai was looking after the dogs while his father was away.
Inspector Hammond said: “This is a very sad case which was the result of a long period of neglect.
“Hai was responsible for the dogs’ welfare while his dad was away but they had already been suffering prior to this.
“These poor dogs were neglected for possibly months.
“If you are aware that your pet needs veterinary treatment, please don’t wait to seek help.
“When you have an animal, you are legally responsible to ensure that they are not suffering and that their needs are being met.
“It is simply not acceptable to treat animals like this.”
