Grandmother convicted of animal cruelty and made to wear electronic tag... for being too upset to put elderly dog down

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Distraught: Pauline Spoor has been ordered to wear a tag (on her left leg) after she failed to have her sick dog Dexter put to sleep

A distraught grandmother has been hauled into court and ordered to wear an electronic tag - because she couldn't face having her elderly dog put down.

Devastated Pauline Spoor was so attached to her chocolate labrador Dexter she couldn't bring herself to have him destroyed, even though the frail animal was nearly 18 years old and struggled to walk.

The RSPCA broke into her home and, after finding the dog with numerous medical problems, charged 71-year-old Mrs Spoor with causing unnecessary suffering to her loyal companion.


Elderly: Dexter was suffering from fur loss, arthritis and conjunctivitis when the vet examined him


Dexter, who had been suffering from fur loss, arthritis and conjunctivitis, was put to sleep by a vet the day after he was found.

After being hauled in front of Tameside magistrates, retired cashier Mrs Spoor was spared jail but ordered to wear a tag and given a nine-hour daily curfew.

Divorcee Mrs Spoor admitted an animal cruelty charge and said she was 'blinded by love' for her pet after being fined £250 costs and given the three-month curfew.


Mrs Spoor said she has been made to feel like a common criminal by being forced to wear the tag


She was told by magistrates she must remain at home between 9pm and 6am and must also complete a community order.

Mrs Spoor, who had her other dog Gizmo returned to her, said she had Dexter for 11 years after rescuing him from abandonment and that the animal had become her 'best friend'.

She said: 'I know I've done wrong but I feel absolutely humiliated at having to wear a tag as if I am some common criminal. It just seems so over the top.


Guilty plea: Mrs Spoor admitted an animal cruelty charge at Tameside Magistrates Court, Manchester, after becoming too attached to Dexter to have him put down


'I was simply guilty of being too blinded by love to deal with the reality of the situation as regards my Dexter.

'I've never hurt an animal in my life and it really hurt my feelings that they would accuse me of neglecting the dog when I just couldn't bear to part with him. He was a fantastic dog.

source :dailymail