Bradford woman given 12-month ban after neglecting dog

Brenda, a Staffordshire bull terrier, was found tethered outside Diana Kierpacz’s house without access to food, water, or shelter, said the RSPCA. 

The two-year-old dog was found in a yard surrounded by faeces and rubbish on Kennerleigh Walk, Tong.

The dog, who had given birth to a litter of puppies seven weeks earlier, had a painful long-standing eye condition and was severely underweight, the RSPCA said.

The yard where Brenda was found (Image: RSPCA)

During an examination, a vet measured Brenda’s body condition score as just one out of nine. 

Kierpacz, 27, appeared before Bradford Magistrates' Court to be sentenced on January 4.

She had pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to Brenda and failing to meet her needs at an earlier hearing, following a prosecution by the RSPCA. 

The court heard RSPCA Inspector Demi Hodby visited Kierpacz’ home in May 2022 following a concerning call about a thin dog in a rear yard.

Brenda, pictured in the yard (Image: RSPCA)

In written evidence to the court, she said: “At the rear there was a female Staffordshire bull terrier type dog with very enlarged nipples.

"The dog looked to have recently given birth but there were no signs of the puppies. She had no access to water, shelter or food and her eyes were sunken into her head. 

“All of the dog's ribs were visible as well as her spine and hip bones.

“The dog was tethered to a fence using an extendable lead. The lead was tied to a piece of rope which was then attached to the dog's collar. She was able to walk around but I was concerned she could injure herself as the tether was inappropriate.”

Brenda, pictured, was underweight (Image: RSPCA)

Brenda appeared timid and lethargic and concerned for her welfare, Inspector Hodby said, leading her to make enquiries locally and seek veterinary advice.

The situation was still the same when she returned an hour later and the RSPCA officer contacted police for assistance.

The court heard Kierpacz then appeared at the property and told Inspector Hodby that Brenda was only outside for short periods and had access to water, despite none being present.

The dog was then offered water and was so thirsty she nearly knocked the bowl over.

Kierpacz was told that Brenda’s living conditions were unacceptable and with the defendant’s agreement, she was taken to the RSPCA’s Greater Manchester Animal Hospital.

Brenda, pictured (Image: RSPCA)

She weighed 24.2 kg (43.3 pounds).

In written evidence to the court, the vet said: “The most likely cause of this thin state was the increased nutritional demands of pregnancy followed by lactation which in particular is very energy demanding, requiring the animal to consume approximately three times the amount of calories and other nutrients than normal.

“While the vast majority of nursing bitches lose weight during pregnancy and lactation it is not normal for them to reach a body condition score of 1 out of 9. This suggests the feed on offer was insufficient in quality, quantity or both.

“In addition, the choke chain collar and height from which the dog was tethered gave a high risk of injury by choking or strangling if she tried to get away, was fleeing danger or chasing something.” 

With the right care and nutrition, Brenda’s weight increased gradually over the coming weeks and by the beginning of August she was 29 kg (63.9 pounds).

The RSPCA said when Kierpacz was asked about the circumstances in which her dog was found, she said she had left Brenda there for one hour while she went shopping and she’d been tethered outside so she could “enjoy the weather.” 

She said she didn’t feel the way the dog was found tied up compromised her health or welfare and that water had been provided which Brenda must have drunk.

She said she’d been aware of Brenda’s eye condition but had not re-presented her pet for veterinary treatment for 18 months.

The court heard that Kierpacz was not a breeder and Brenda had mated accidentally with a friend’s dog.

Disqualifying her from keeping dogs for 12 months, magistrates said Brenda had been found in a “very neglected and emaciated state and there was clear evidence that this offending has gone on for a long time”.

Brenda, who was signed over to the RSPCA during the course of the investigation, had successful entropion surgery and was also neutered. 

She was cared for at the charity’s Leeds, Wakefield & District Branch and has since been adopted.

In accordance with an order made by the court, other dogs owned by Kierpacz will also have to be rehomed.