[ad_1]
Mask
A veterinarian found that a cat had severe periodontal disease, but its owner was unable to receive dental treatment and had to be euthanized (File photo).
A cat had to euthanize it after its owner failed to resolve its gum disease two months after a rescue group told it it needed dental treatment.
The cat owned by the Auckland man, Brett Goulding, had “serious problems” in his mouth, including broken teeth, exposed tooth roots and ulcers at the corners.
A rescue organization had taken the cat to a veterinarian in November 2018 after a member of the public complained that it had “obvious dental problems.”
The cat was very thin with chronic poor nutrition, nose injuries and severe periodontal disease, according to the vet.
She was given antibiotics and pain relievers and the vet told the rescue organization that Goulding should return with the cat for dental treatment.
However, an SPCA inspector visited the North Shore address in Goulding in January 2019 to see how the cat was doing and found that dental treatment had not been sought.
The inspector seized the cat and took it to the vet.
The vet said the pain and illness would have been present for at least four months.
Chris McKeen / Stuff
The cat’s owner, Brett Goulding, appeared in Auckland District Court on Monday (File photo).
After eight days of care, including steroids and pain relievers, the cat was euthanized.
Goulding was sentenced in Auckland District Court on Monday to 100 hours of community service and ordered to pay $ 365.62 in reparations.
He was also disqualified from keeping animals for five years, except for the two cats he currently owns.
SPCA Executive Director Andrea Midgen said that as part of responsible pet ownership, people should seek veterinary treatment for their animals if required.
