Dyfrig John Davies, 64, of St Clears, appeared at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Friday 19 September, where he pleaded guilty to one offence under the Animal Welfare Act.
The court heard that Davies failed to protect the needs of a black and white female collie, named Floss, by not ensuring she received proper and timely veterinary treatment for her injuries.
He was sentenced to an 18‑week custodial sentence, suspended for 12 months, and ordered to pay a £154 victim surcharge and £400 in costs. The court also asked him to consider making a personal donation towards the RSPCA to help cover the costs of Floss’s treatment.
‘Bones exposed’
The case came to light on 12 January this year when RSPCA Deputy Chief Inspector Gemma Cooper attended a farm following reports of a dog with visible bone injuries.
She found Floss lying on blankets in a garage, with her back left foot “sloughed off” and bones exposed. The bone in her front left elbow was also visible, and she had multiple puncture wounds to her other legs.
“She was extremely subdued and made no attempt to move,” DCI Cooper said.
It was reported that Floss had been missing for a couple of weeks after a dog fight and had only returned the day before.
Vet assessment
A vet who examined Floss described her injuries as “obvious traumatic injuries including traumatic amputation of the left hind paw,” with exposed bone in her forelimb and further puncture wounds.
Floss was underweight, with significant muscle wastage, but was otherwise stable and alert. She was admitted for immediate treatment and stabilisation.
(Image: RSPCA)
Recovery and new home
Following surgery and treatment costing around £6,000, Floss made a remarkable recovery. She was later signed over to the Dogs Trust, where she has since been rehomed.
In mitigation, the court heard that Davies was remorseful. He had arranged for a gamekeeper to shoot Floss but was let down, and accepted he should have taken her to a vet. The court was told this was a one‑off incident and that he had “learned from it.”
