Dogsey

The owners of a luxury dog hotel, who each admitted to two cases of animal neglect, have had their case adjourned for pre-sentence reports until 30 March. The couple were charged after a nine-year-old Collie-cross “suffered and died unnecessarily” after being left in their care at Burlington Green Acres in Somerset.

David and Lesley Phelps of Hemyock, Devon, left Izzie at the hotel on 25 July last year while they went on holiday, choosing it because of its claims to offer a “loving home from home for your dog”, where dogs sleep in centrally heated rooms and have acres of land to play in. Eleven days after she was left, Izzie collapsed. She was rushed to the vet, soaking wet, breathing heavily and with a weak pulse. She was found to be suffering from an open wound infested with maggots, suffered convulsions and died half an hour later. Tests found that she had not eaten for at least 24 hours and had been in poor condition for up to three days before her death.

An RSPCA investigation resulted in charges of animal neglect and the owners each admitted two charges under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 at Taunton Deane Magistrates Court, Somerset.

After the hearing last Friday, Mr Phelps said: “Nothing will bring Izzie back. She was part of the family and went everywhere with us. We feel the Fitzgerald-Robertses have let us and Izzie down.

“One of the main reasons we chose Burlington Green Acres was their assurance that they were able to give individual attention to the dogs.

“If anything positive can come of this we hope the authorities introduce frequent checks on kennels and catteries to ensure standards of animal welfare.”

The hotel's website states: “Our staff offer a quality and reliable service you can count on and relax safe in the knowledge your dog is being looked after and is happy.”

In a statement read to the court, Vet Nicola Newman said: “Izzie’s condition should have been noticed in the two or three days before her death. She suffered and died unnecessarily.”

The court heard that Mrs Fitzgerald-Roberts, of Upper Cheddon, near Taunton, was the kennels' owner and responsible for overall supervision. Her husband, of Brixham, Devon, was responsible for daily care of the animals.

Defending Mr Fitzgerald-Roberts, Ian Denley told the court that Izzie's long hair made it hard to spot the wound and maggots. He said: "Initially he didn't see anything wrong. As soon as he did he took her to the vet. He feels remorse."

Guy Adams, for Mrs Fitzgerald-Roberts, said that Izzie's day-to-day care was the responsibility of Mr Fitzgerald-Roberts. He added that Mrs Fitzgerald-Roberts: “failed to adequately supervise her husband, who had training and experience in looking after dogs.

“She trusted him in the day-to-day care of Izzie. What she didn’t do is follow him around and in a husband and wife situation, why would you?
“She realises now she should have done.”

Taunton Deane Borough Council has applied for Burlington Green Acres to have its licence revoked.