Firefighters' shock as this neglected spaniel was knowingly left in a hole for three days by its owner

The firefighters from the London Fire Brigade were shocked beyond belief to find out that the black spaniel Maya they were about to rescue from a riser cupboard shaft had been trapped there for three days, and its owner knew it. They asked the RSPCA to assist with the case, which led to an investigation and a jail sentence for a heartless woman.

Trapped in a hole for three days

A crew from Battersea Fire Station in London, UK, had carried out a rescue of a black spaniel Maya from a riser cupboard after she had gotten trapped there. They couldn't believe the animal was stuck there for three days before its owner called fire and rescue service.

RSPCA’s Animal Rescue Officer Mat Hawkins was shown the shaft by the owner. He said:

The hole was so deep I didn't manage to see the bottom of the area.

The RSPCA was concerned about Maya's welfare and insisted on taking her and another pup on the property, Oscar, to the vet.

The rescue

The examination showed that Maya and Oscar were suffering. They were underweight and had an eye infection.

Oscar’s blood profile clearly matched with a diagnosis of malnutrition. He also had a painful eye condition which went untreated by the owner.

But since the dogs settled down at RSPCA's Finsbury Park facility, they got much-needed attention and managed togain a substantial amount of weight. Oscar’s ulcer was treated with topical antibiotic eye drops and eye gel and healed.

Now that the case has concluded, both pups are ready to move on and find loving new homes.

‘Suffered both physically and psychologically’

Maya and Oscar's owner was found guilty of five offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and has received a custodial 35-week sentence for causing unnecessary suffering to two dogs. She was also disqualified from owning all animals for 10 years.

The vet said in a witness statement:

It is deeply concerning that the dog was left in a service shaft for that period of time, during which her needs were not met and she would have suffered both physically and psychologically.

Head to RSPCA's website to learn more about the charity and support their vital animal welfare and rescue work.

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