Lowestoft pair Kelly Utting and Daniel Kilty banned from keeping animals after dachshund euthanised due to neglect

A pair from Lowestoft have been banned from keeping animals after a dog had to be put down due to neglect.

Kelly Utting, 37, and Daniel Kilty, 43, both of Magnolia Court, were sentenced in their absence at Great Yarmouth Magistrates’ Court on February 21.

They were found guilty – once again in their absence – at an earlier hearing for failing to meet the needs of a miniature dachshund, Duggy.

This follows an investigation by the RSPCA after Duggy was taken to a vet by a concerned relative in December 2023.

Duggy was in a barely conscious state with low blood pressure and was hypothermic, the court heard.

He was described as emaciated, with ribs and the pelvic bones showing through his fur, while also being unaware of his surroundings.

It was determined that nothing could be done to save Duggy and he was euthanised after his owners gave their consent.

In a report, the vet, who also gave evidence in the trial, said: “Duggy suffered as a consequence of his emaciated bodily condition. Suffering will have been experienced by this animal via mechanisms of weakness, fatigue, general malaise, exercise intolerance and eventual collapse.

“In my opinion the needs of Duggy have not been met to the extent required by good practice due to the people responsible for the welfare of this animal failing to seek prompt veterinary advice regarding his sub-optimal bodily condition, thereby failing to protect him from suffering.”

Utting and Kilty failed to meet one or a combination of the following:

► Failure to provide his needs for a suitable diet

► The need to be protected from pain, suffering, injury or disease

► Failing to adequately investigate or address the causes of Duggy’s weight loss or underweight bodily condition

The judge banned the pair from keeping animals for 10 years.

In addition, they were each fined £1,100 and ordered to pay £1,081 in costs and a victim surcharge of £440.

Following the case, RSPCA inspector Emily Astillberry said: “When I started the investigation I was sent photos and a video of poor Duggy and he was one of the thinnest dogs that I have ever seen.

“Every rib and vertebra is clearly prominent and his hips and pelvic bones are protruding beneath his skin.

“It was heartbreaking to see a dog in such an emaciated condition and this weight loss would not have occurred overnight.

“He had suffered by the failure of his owners to seek veterinary attention to find out what had been causing his weight loss and it would have been clear to any responsible owner that he needed veterinary assistance.”