A WOMAN’S “well intentioned” but inadequate efforts to get medical help for an ill dog led to her appearing in court.

Montoyah Brewer had been charged by the RSPCA for causing unnecessary suffering to an animal, a Staffordshire Bull Terrier called Princess, by failing to provide the medical attention she needed.

Princess was eventually put down because of the seriousness of her condition, which had left her in serious pain.

Brewer admitted the charge at Bradford and Keighley Magistrates' Court on Thursday, where she tearfully told the court she had tried to help the ill dog, and had assumed responsibility for Princess because she didn’t want to see her suffer.

The court heard that Brewer, 22, lived on Esholt Traveller Site, and that Princess belonged to a regular user of the site called William Smith.

When Brewer noticed the dog appeared ill, she contacted a vet on August 25, 2021, claiming Princess was her dog.

She was advised to send photos of the dog’s ailments so the vets could identify the issue.

However, Brewer did not do this until September 7. She was told to bring Princess to the PDSA, and did so the next day.

However, by then Princess was in a serious condition. She was treated for 24 hours before vets decided she needed to be put down to relieve her suffering.

Brewer told them she needed to contact her partner before Princess was put down, but in the following hours the vets were unable to contact her. They took the decision to euthanise Princess.

At the time of her death, eight-month-old Princess was “riddled with mange,” unable to stand, had open sores, and both eyes were filled with puss.

Mr Smith had later contacted the RSPCA, annoyed that they had put Princess down. They were unable to contact him to arrange an interview after that phone call.

RSPCA urge people not to dump pets this Christmas

Mr Brown, prosecuting on behalf of the RSPCA, said: “The defendant said she was the owner of the dog, and at the time there was nothing to suggest anything other than that she was the owner of Princess. She authorised medical procedures as the owner of the animal.”

Referring to Princess’ condition, he said: “She was in severe pain and had early stage septicaemia.

“It appears she had been left with an unattended serious skin condition for some time.

“She must have been in pain for a minimum of a week, likely longer.

“Had treatment been given at an earlier stage it is likely that the dog would have recovered.”

Upkar Bahir, defending, said Brewer had never been the owner of the dog, adding: “She has stated from the outset that it belonged to a William Smith.”

He said Brewer had become friendly with Mr Smith’s puppy when he was staying at the site, and last August noticed Princess appeared unwell. This led to her contact with the PDSA.

He said after that contact she “fell short” in her attempts to get help for the dog. He said: “She was asked to provide photographs of the dog – she should have followed this responsibility through. She could have done more.

“She didn’t take that responsibility on board and she should have done. She accepts that this makes her culpable.

“She felt sorry for the dog and tried to do the best she could to get her help. Clearly her best wasn’t good enough. It was well intentioned. She is very upset about this whole incident.”

A clearly upset Brewer spoke to Magistrates to say she has lost sleep over the incident, adding: “I don’t want people to think I’m a horrible person. I was just trying to get the animal some help.”

Chairman of the Bench Brian Outlaw said: “We’ve looked at the photos of Princess – they are not the nicest photos to look at.

“It must have been very distressing for that dog, who in the end couldn’t stand, was blind and was wasting away.

“Put this behind you and learn from it.”

She was given a 12 month community order, which includes 15 rehabilitation days. She was banned from keeping dogs for 12 months and ordered to pay the RSPCA £100 costs, as well as a £95 surcharge.