A HAMPSHIRE woman has been banned from keeping animals after admitting neglecting her dog who suffered from an untreated skin condition.

Covered in sores West Highland terrier Toby had suffered for weeks with mites causing him to lose a significant amount of hair on his body.

He escaped while his owner, Donna Burke of The Scimitars, Fareham, was on a month-long holiday in Spain and found to have a chronic skin condition and ear infection.

RSPCA deputy chief inspector Jenny Ride discovered he had significant hair loss caused by scratching and scabs over parts of his skin including sores over his hind quarters.

It took four months for his skin to return to normal and his fur to grow back.

Daily Echo:

Toby was rehomed in Hampshire. Burke, 46, admitted failing to meet the needs of Toby by not protecting him from pain, suffering, injury and disease at Fareham Magistrates’ Court.

She was ordered to pay £12,060 for the care and treatment of Toby by the animal charity, fined £500 and banned from keeping any pets for three years.

She must also pay a victim surcharge of £50.

DCI Ride said: “Toby was in a very sorry state when we found him. People need to realise that they have a responsibility to care for their animals, and that means dealing with any health issues. Ignoring them simply isn’t going to help make them go away. It just causes more distress to their pets.

“A lot of time, money and care has been invested in Toby’s recovery and he’s now ready for a new life with new owners.”

Daily Echo: West Highland terrier Toby suffered with mites for weeks, as pictured here

It is another case of dogs in Hampshire being mistreated by their owners.

In January one poodle crossbreed mum and her eight one-year old puppies had been found after they were dumped along rural roads in the Winchester area.

The RSPCA believed they had been neglected their entire lives and were an unrecognisable “pile of rags”.

In May a trio of five-week-old English bull terrier puppies was found abandoned in a box in the New Forest covered in dirt and fleasand suffering from worms.