DogCast Radio
Home Episodes Articles Blog Breed profiles Book reviews Photos Contact

Don’t forget your pet when it’s holiday time

There was a reminder from the RSPCA today that owners must provide adequate care for their pets when they go on holiday. Of course, such a reminder should not be necessary, but the case of a couple who left their dog and two cats home alone has highlighted the need for the warning. Unbelievably, three pets were abandoned at home while their owners enjoyed a fortnight’s holiday. The consequences were tragic.

Zara Hicks (date of birth: 20/09/1979), and David James Hicks (date of birth 02/09/1975), both of Hemsby Road, Chessington, Surrey, appeared at Wimbledon Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, 22 March after having left their animals unsupervised at home for two weeks.

Sadly, one cat did not survive the ordeal, while the surviving cat and the dog were found in a state of neglect in a filthy kitchen.

The couple pleaded guilty to not making arrangements to provide adequate care and supervision for their pets, and causing unnecessary suffering to one of the cats by not providing proper and necessary veterinary care. They were both banned from keeping all animals for 12 years and given suspended prison sentences. They were also ordered to pay £400 in costs, and David Hicks received a community order of 160 hours of unpaid work.

By the time the RSPCA was contacted about the animals – a brown female poodle cross called Honey, and a tortoiseshell male called Twitch and a tabby male called Dribble – Dribble had died. It was discovered that he had a tumour and associated illness, for which he had not received any veterinary treatment.

Twitch and Honey were found in the kitchen, distressed and covered in faeces.

RSPCA chief inspector Kerry Gabriel said: “With the Easter holidays coming up, this case is a reminder to pet owners of the importance of ensuring their animals are safe and cared for when they go away.

“It is not enough to just leave a couple of bowls of food down - dogs, cats and, indeed, all domestic animals, need proper supervision and care.

“In this case one of the cats sadly died while the couple had gone away on their holiday for two weeks, due to lack of veterinary care. This would have been a very lonely and probably painful death, poor thing.

“The other two were very neglected and distressed, and covered in fleas. This was a case of pet owners completely failing to provide the care they should have.”

Honey and Twitch have been placed in the care of the RSPCA, and are now available for rehoming. If you feel moved to give either of them the loving forever home which they deserve, contact the RSPCA.

Sharing

273 - dog parkour and dog news discussion

Dog trainer Emma Hendy explains how Dog Parkour can help your bond with your dog, and give you both a new mindset. Julie gives her opinion on some dog news stories which caught her attention.

189 - The Dog Healers and War Dogs Remembered

In this episode you can hear Mark Winik talk about his debut novel, The Dog Healers, and listen to Julia Robertson explain why she founded the charity War Dogs remembered. Plus there's the DogCast Radio News, and what Mischief the German Spitz puppy has been up to.

188 - Service Dogs UK and Roxie the Doxie Finds Her Forever Home

In this episode you can hear about Service Dogs UK, a fantastic charity which trains assistance dogs to support veterans of any service - military personnel, police, firefighters, paramedics and the coastguard - who develop Post Traumatic Stress Disorder due to their job. Also, listen to Dr Jody A Dean, a clinical psychologist talk about how her book, Roxie the Doxie finds her Forever Home, is helping children understand and talk about adoption and other family issues. Plus the DogCast Radio News and some thoughts on the alpha dog myth.

187 - Muffins Halo and Chorley Fun Dog Show

In this episode you can hear about Muffin's Halo for Blind Dogs, and what motivates people to enter their dog in a fun dog show. In the DogCast Radio News, listen to stories about the latest dog related research. Plus there's a new member of the DogCast Radio team!

186 - Maxwell Muir on wolves

In this episode you can hear trainer, behaviourist, writer, broadcaster and wolf expert Maxwell Muir talk about what wolves mean to him personally, their plight in a modern world, and his hopes for their future. Plus we have the DogCast Radio News.