A dog who was so weak from being starved she couldn’t stand for longer than half a minute without falling over has made a heartwarming recovery.
Nala, an 11-month-old American Bulldog was found emaciated in a filthy cage at a property in Gateshead by police last August. She was given a body condition score of just one out of nine and had, according to the vet who examined her, been suffering from hunger for ‘weeks to months’.
RSPCA inspector Kirsty Keogh-Laws, who investigated the case, described Nala as the thinnest dog she had ever seen alive during her 14-year career.
Her owner, Toni Rowland, has now been banned from keeping animals for five years after admitting two animal welfare offences, following a prosecution by the animal welfare charity.
Nala (now renamed Penny by her new owner), went on to make a full recovery thanks to the care she received from Vets Now in Gateshead - where she was initially fostered by a veterinary nurse - and later at the RSPCA’s Felledge Animal Centre near Chester-le-Street, from where she was rehomed to Beth Atkinson.
At a sentencing hearing on 9 April, South Tyneside Magistrates Court heard how Northumbria police had found the dog in a urine-soaked cage in a bedroom at a property in Leeming Gardens on 27 August and rushed her to the veterinary practice. Concerned about her emaciated condition, the RSPCA was then contacted and an investigation started.
In written evidence to the court, Inspector Keogh-Laws who saw her at the vets, said: “She was desperately skinny and I was able to see every bone in her body. Her rib cage was visibly protruding from her body and I could count the bones along her spine.
“Her legs and back end were stained yellow with a strong smell of urine and she was unable to stand for longer than around 30 seconds or so without falling to the ground. I could see pressure sores on the pads of her feet and on her elbows. She was friendly despite being visibly very weak.”
The court heard that the team at Vets Now ran blood tests and instigated a careful feeding plan, aimed at preventing refeeding syndrome which can be fatal. Nala was cared for by a veterinary nurse from the practice before being transferred to the RSPCA rehoming centre for ongoing care last November.
In her evidence, one of the vets who examined her, said: “She was in an emaciated body condition and showed no signs of other systemic illness to account for this. Her poor muscle tone and the weakness we observed after admission would make it likely that she hadn’t been able to exercise.
“It is likely she had to lie in her own faeces and urine for a prolonged time. This would have caused physical discomfort and mental distress. Her body condition would lead me to think she hadn’t been fed appropriately and suffered from hunger for weeks to months.”
On 29 August Inspector Keogh-Laws visited Leeming Gardens to speak to Rowland about what had happened to her dog. The garden was overgrown, the blinds were closed and there were rubbish bags piled up to the side of the property. A card was left urging her to get in touch. Two further visits were made before Rowland responded. She confirmed she was Nala’s owner and that she wasn’t currently living at the property.
On September 19 the inspector visited the house again for a pre-arranged interview with Rowland, who signed Nala over into the care of the RSPCA and asked for the interview to be rearranged. The court was told she failed to show up on the new date and did not respond to phone calls or contact cards.
In addition to the five-year disqualification order, Rowland, now of Dundas Way, Gateshead, was also given a 12-month community order with 20 RAR days and told to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work. Magistrates were told she was suffering from mental health problems at the time and was unable to look after herself and Nala suffered as a result.
Luka Atkinson from Felledge Animal Centre, said when she first arrived Nala would urinate on the floor when they called her name, so they stopped using it. “Despite what she’d been through, she was so lovely with everyone she met and such a good role model for the other dogs at the centre.
“She needed a very sensitive diet at first because her body couldn't cope with rich foods, but she soon flourished and her transformation was quite incredible.”
Beth Atkinson, 27, (above) who adopted her from the centre in January and renamed her Penny, said: “She’s my world. When I first adopted her she’d eat her food in about one mouthful, probably wondering where the next meal was coming from. She’s definitely slowed down now, knowing she’ll be fed again, and she enjoys treats in the meantime.
“She absolutely loves going to the dog park, the beach and out for long walks. She has two cat friends too, who she loves! She’s the sweetest girl in the world, she adores everyone she meets, including other dogs. I couldn’t have asked for a better companion, she is always happy and wagging her tail.
“She has brought so much joy and laughter to my life. About 8pm she settles on the sofa and waits to go up to bed to sleep, and there’s nothing better than seeing her wagging tail in the morning when I wake up.”
Inspector Keogh-Laws praised the police and the vets for their support in the case. She said: “Without a doubt she was the thinnest dog I have ever seen alive. She couldn’t stand unaided at the vets for more than 30 seconds and was quite literally wasting away in a filthy cage. If it hadn’t been for the quick actions of the police officers who found her, she wouldn’t have survived much longer, and I’d like to say a huge thank you to them for their compassion and their assistance throughout the investigation.
“She was a very poorly dog when she first arrived at Vets Now in Gateshead and the team there were instrumental in her recovery. I think we were all hoping for the best but possibly fearing the worst, but they did a wonderful job. To see Penny now in her new home, transformed and living her best life with Beth, is just incredible.”