A cat who was rescued by the RSPCA with nearly every bone in his paw fractured, had not been taken to a vet by his owner and had suffered for up to a fortnight, a court has heard.
Buddy, a black adult cat, had broken four out of the five metacarpal bones on his front left paw and was battling a severe untreated flea allergy when he was found at a top floor flat in Manchester Road, Southport, in January last year.
His owner Mathew Daly (DoB 24/05/92), has now been banned from keeping any animals for two years after admitting two charges of causing unnecessary suffering and failing to meet Buddy’s needs following an investigation and prosecution by the RSPCA.
At a sentencing hearing last Tuesday (30 April), South Sefton Magistrates Court heard how Inspector Anthony Joynes had gone to the property on 4 January 2023 after concerns had been reported to the animal welfare charity.
In written evidence to the court Inspector Joynes said: “I noted Buddy was underweight with his spine, ribs and pelvic bones easily palpable through the skin. He was also suffering with a skin condition and I saw that his fur was thinning down his back and rear legs. Scabs could be felt under the fur and live fleas were noted.
“Mathew Daly picked Buddy up and brought him over to me and I could see his front left paw was swollen. He said that he had been suffering with an ingrown nail.”
Buddy, who at that point was signed over into the care of the RSPCA by Daly, was taken for immediate veterinary treatment where x-rays revealed his paw had multiple fractures.
In his evidence to the court, the vet said the deformed paw on the cat’s left front leg was consistent with having fractured metacarpal bones, and x-rays confirmed that four out of the five bones were broken. The fracture margins and the formation of new bone suggested the breaks were between ten and 14 days old.
“There was also patchy fur loss over the back, rump and hind limbs with focal areas of inflammation and scabbing of the underlying skin,” said the vet. “This cat clearly had a need to have the paw assessed by a veterinary surgeon to ensure his ongoing welfare needs were met.
“In a similar respect, Buddy was found to have been affected by an infestation of fleas. In most circumstances an infestation of fleas in an adult cat causes a varying degree of skin irritation. However, when the cat is allergic to flea bites the results are more profound.
“Each flea bite results in a focally intense area of inflammation which causes intense skin irritation and fur loss beyond simple skin irritation. Suffering will have been experienced by this animal via a mechanism of intense skin irritation for a period of at least five days, probably longer.”
The vet said Daly had failed to meet the cat’s needs and protect him from pain and suffering.
Inspector Joynes was told that Buddy was an indoor cat and didn’t go outside. In interview, Daly – who was also fined £162 – said he belonged to someone else but admitted he was also responsible and helped to look after him on a daily basis.
He said he didn’t think Buddy was in any pain and he would have sought treatment for him if he thought he was suffering.
Buddy made a full recovery in the care of the RSPCA’s Wirral & Chester Branch. Another tabby cat owned by Daly was also signed over into RSPCA care. She was also looked after at the Wirral & Chester Branch and the two of them were adopted together.
Speaking after the case Inspector Joynes said: “Buddy was clearly in a suffering state and needed urgent veterinary attention. It is the legal responsibility of the owner or person responsible for their animals to look for symptoms of ill health or injury and seek prompt and appropriate veterinary care. I’m relieved that Buddy is now safe and living in a loving home.”
