A woman was fined $300 and banned from pet ownership for two years for neglecting an underweight dog found with clumped fur, a discharge coming from its eyes and a large scar on its back.
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The RSPCA said its inspectors went to the woman's Canberra home in January last year and found a dog with an extremely matted coat.
The dog was taken to a vet clinic, sedated, and groomed, and the woman promised to take better care of it, the RSPCA said.
However, in March this year, another complaint was made about the woman, and inspectors returned to the home to find the dog with a badly matted coat.
The RSPCA said the dog was thin, had discharge coming from its eyes, overgrown fur and was in discomfort when touched.
Inspectors seized the dog, which they said was in pain.
Grass seeds and matted fur were causing irritation, the RSPCA said, and the dog had a large scar on its back consistent with a wound that had not been treated properly.
The owner was prosecuted in the ACT Magistrates Court and sentenced last week.
She was fined $300 and was prevented from having a pet for two years, the RSPCA said.
In a media statement, senior inspector Catherine Croatto said the RSPCA would sometimes give owners the opportunity to change their behaviour.
She said the dog was seized because of the history of complaints and its poor condition.
"It was obvious that the dog's quality of life was not a priority to the owner," she said.
