Yeovil man jailed after RSPCA investigate severely underweight dog

Ashley Derek Woodruff, 28, of St Johns Road in Yeovil, was sentenced at Yeovil Magistrates Court on Thursday, March 11.

Woodruff owned a small terrier type dog called Barney, who was severely underweight and hypothermic.

RSPA Inspector Marie Griffiths received calls reporting fears for the welfare of the dog being kept in Woodruff's garden, at an address in Wincanton.

So Inspector Griffiths visited the home on April 9 2020, where she saw Barney.

“Woodruff was holding a small brown terrier type dog tightly," she said.

"Even though a lot of the dog's body was covered by Woodruff's arms I could see the dog was in an extremely poor condition.

“Barney was totally emaciated with no body fat present at all. His ribs, spine and pelvic bones were very visible, and the sockets behind his eyes were sunken.

"His coat was dull and he appeared lethargic and depressed.”

The dog was rushed to the vets, who discovered he weighed just 4.8kg (less than half the weight of a dog of his age, sex and type) and that he was hypothermic. Barney's lack of body fat had left him unable to stay warm while living indoors.

He also had several rotten teeth, and some were showing signs of infection.

Barney was given intravenous fluids and treated with warming equipment to rehydrate and bring up his body temperature.

“In their report, the vet said they felt that Barney may have been close to death, and that it would have been obvious he was in a terrible state," Inspector Griffiths added.

“He was caused to suffer unnecessarily by a failure by Woodruff to provide a proper diet and failing to provide urgent vet care for several months.”

Now, Barney has recovered and is enjoying his life in a new home.