Man banned from owning a pet after RSPCA informed of dog whose ear was so infected vets found maggots inside

A north Brisbane father has been dealt with by authorities after pleading guilty to failing to care for his Cocker Spaniel, leading to it having to be put down because he failed to treat a years-long chronic ear infection. WARNING: Graphic

A father-of-two let his pet dog’s ear infection get so bad the animal had to be put down.

Matthew David Spence has been banned from owning a dog for a year and fined more than $1000.

The 42-year-old pleaded guilty at Pine Rivers Magistrates Court to failing to care for his Cocker Spaniel dog.

In May last year, the RSPCA received information that Spence’s 13-year-old dog Leroy had an ear infection with a large growth.

*WARNING GRAPHIC PICTURE BELOW*

The area was red and swollen, covered in discharge and “smelled rotten”.

The court heard Leroy “would whimper if he was touched near the left ear and neck”.

When Spence spoke to the RSPCA he told them he had previously taken the dog to the Eatons Hill Vet but Leroy was not currently receiving any treatment. He also said he cleaned the ear weekly.

The RSPCA inspector told Spence he could take Leroy to a vet within the next 48 hours or make arrangement from the inspector to visit the house.

Later that day Spence told the inspector he had decided Leroy would be euthanized.

The RSPCA told the court Spence was remorseful and had been cooperative with the investigation.

Leroy the Cocker Spaniel had a severely infected ear.

Veterinary evidence tendered to the court showed vets at Warner had looked at Leroy’s ear in April 2016 where he was diagnosed with a “severe and chronic ear infection”.

Vets found a “large number of maggots” in Leroy’s ear canal.

They prescribed medication and ear relief and recommended Leroy come back in two weeks, which did not happen.

Spence took Leroy to a different vet in Eatons Hill in December 2016, where he was prescribed medication for his ear.

The vet recommended Spence bring Leroy back in three to four days.

Spence did not make a follow-up appointment.

In December of 2017 Leroy had to be hospitalised due to dehydration, vomiting and lethargy. Vets reported a suspected case of pancreatitis or hepatitis.

Spence bought medicine for Leroy’s “acute illness” and a flush for his ears.

The vets told him to attend a follow-up consultation in two weeks.

Spence did not bring Leroy back.

Spence took Leroy back to the Warner vet after speaking to the RSPCA in May 2019.

They diagnosed him with a severe ear infection, ulceration and “copious” puss discharge among other medical issues and Leroy was put down.

In an interview with an RSPCA officer, Spence said Leroy’s ear issue had got “significantly worse” about three weeks before he was put down, but due to “poor judgment” Spence did not take Leroy to the vet.

He told the officer he had not wanted to take Leroy to the vet as the dog was getting old and he was “putting off making the euthanasia decision”.

Spence was banned from owning an animal for one year, fined $1500 and ordered to pay $250 in professional costs, and $181 in court costs.