(Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)
A North East woman has been banned from keeping dogs after her puppy was found emaciated and described as “floppy and lifeless” by a vet.
Kaitlyn Docherty, of Chathill Walk, Ormesby, pleaded guilty to two animal welfare offences when she appeared at Teesside Magistrates’ Court on October 6 following an RSPCA investigation.
Her dog, Cocopop, a female brindle crossbreed, was taken to a vet in April after a referral.
The five-month-old puppy was reported to be “floppy and lifeless” and was later euthanised on welfare grounds.
In a report provided to the court, the vet who examined Cocopop said she “had an emaciated body condition score with evidence of muscle loss to the face, prominent skeletal features and pelvis”.
The vet said the examination showed a chronic problem which would have been noticeable for weeks, during which no veterinary treatment had been sought.
Cocopop also had lesions along her lip and irregular wear to her incisor teeth.
A postmortem report attributed this to self-injury and trauma caused by repeated contact with a hard surface, such as barriers or crate bars.
Foreign material was also found inside Cocopop’s gut.
The report suggested she may have sought alternative sources of food and was “further illustrating her suffering”.
Her previous medical history showed normal growth and weight gain between her first and second vaccinations.
However, there was no record of veterinary care being sought between her second vaccination in February and her examination in April 2026.
The vet concluded that Cocopop had not been given a suitable diet and said there was no evidence of an underlying disease process which could explain her emaciated condition.
The report said: “Given there was no evidence of underlying disease process to explain the emaciated state, it is conclusive that starvation is the cause of Cocopop’s emaciated state.
“It is alarming that should this patient have had medical intervention at an earlier stage, her outcome may have been a more positive one.
“Interventions and treatment plans could therefore have been implemented before weight loss progressed to emaciation.”
RSPCA Inspector Clare Wilson said after sentencing: “It’s heartbreaking to imagine what Cocopop may have gone through during her short life.
“Owning an animal is a privilege, and ensuring they have appropriate veterinary care and a good diet, are a key part of the responsibility we have towards our pets.
“Taking on a young animal can be a big responsibility, and it’s important for people to consider whether they have the time, ability and finances to manage any training needs or behavioural issues, alongside their other commitments, before deciding to take on a new pet.
“All animals deserve to be treated with kindness and should have their needs met. Anyone who is struggling should seek help.”
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Docherty has been banned from keeping dogs for eight years and cannot appeal against the ban for five years.
She was also handed an 18-month community order with a mental health treatment requirement and ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work.
Docherty was ordered to pay £1,578 in costs and a victim surcharge of £114.