Dogs are man’s best friend, but some people are not worthy of these noble creatures. RSPCA workers saw this firsthand when a police officer handed over a dog with a very disheveled coat that had been taken in from an irresponsible owner. Barney the dog’s fur was so matted that it was hard to tell if there was really a dog under it. These people were shocked and couldn’t believe their eyes, but were determined to do everything they could to help this poor creature feel like a real puppy again. It was the least they could do for him in that moment.
Many people are confused and forgotten
People at the RSPCA couldn’t believe what they witnessed when they carefully examined the dog, even though they had already seen Bernie in a terrible condition.
“He was extremely matted, with big clumps of fur hanging off of him that appeared to be full of dirt or faeces and tightly bound to areas around his back,” RSPCA Inspector Tina Nash said in her witness statement.
This was the state in which the irresponsibility of his owner brought the poor dog. The owner, Tim Ronald Springett, tried to justify himself by claiming that he thought Barney did not need grooming because he was a Black Russian Terrier.
However, it was not at all a convincing justification because he could easily see in what state such a decision had brought this dog. Poor Barney couldn’t see anything from the fur that covered his eyes, and the weight he had to carry caused him pain whenever he walked.
All this motivated them to do everything for Barney, so his grooming session lasted a very long time. Although they successfully finished it, they were shocked by the amount of weight this dog had to carry. A whopping 17 pounds of fur was taken off of Barney.
“The dog had been made to support a coat weighing approximately 21% of his body weight as he moved around,” a vet who helped Barney said in a statement. “The weight of this coat would have risen considerably when the dog was wet.”
It was the best proof of what poor Barney had to endure all those 19 months during which his owner did not want to take him to the groomer.
Justice Served
After so much time spent in the dark and after a long and difficult grooming session, the sun finally shone on Barney. The people who helped him were delighted to see his beautiful smile and his heart was also full because he was surrounded by love and attention.
According to the RSPCA, “Barney is now in private boarding, and he will be available for rehoming.” There is no doubt that this beautiful boy will meet his happy ending soon.
Meanwhile, Barney’s owner, Tim, was brought to court and had to answer for his misdeeds. Although he claimed that he was ill at the time and was unable to take care of his dog, he was eventually sentenced.
Tim was handed a five-year animal ban and a 12-month community order. He also had to pay $500 in costs and a $120 victim surcharge.
In the end, justice was served, and this man got what he deserved. We also hope that Barney will get the same – an owner who will love and respect him and who will not let him end up in the dark ever again.
