Southampton Magistrates' Court was told Jennifer Maslen was living in a 'dirty' and 'cramped' caravan in Southampton with seven dogs

RSPCA inspectors discovered Jennifer Maslen was living in a “dirty” and “cramped” caravan that smelt of urine with seven dogs, one of which was suffering with a skin infection and another had wounds on its neck and leg.

Southampton Magistrates’ Court heard that despite the obvious signs of the skin infection, which caused the dog to lose its hair and the open wounds on the other animal, Maslen had not taken either to the vet.

The 56-year-old, from Tristan Close, in Calshot, faces five charges relating to her care of the dogs, all of which she denies.

RSPCA prosecutor Sarah Wheadon told how Maslen is accused of failing to provide a safe, clean and suitable environment for seven dogs and failed to meet the needs of three dogs by not seeking adequate treatment for them.

After concerns were raised about dogs living in the caravan in December 2013, Inspector Patrick Bailey from the RSPCA visited to assess the dogs.

Jennifer Maslen

Giving evidence, he said one dog, a Lurcher called Reggie, had lost 40 per cent of its fur and had “red raw” skin.

He then, with a vet, inspected five other dogs. Four raised no concerns, but a greyhound named Pooh Bear had a large wound to its neck and another on its leg, which Maslen said was caused by a fox fight.

Maslen, he said, told him she had not taken either dogs to the vet because she had been treating them herself – this included a treatment for cattle which expired in 2002 and tablets prescribed for a dog she no longer had.

Inspector Bailey said: “One of the products being used isn’t even designed for dogs so I would expect a reasonable person to consult a vet.”

Concerned about so many dogs of that size living inside such a small space, Inspector Bailey inspected the caravan, which he described as “dirty and grubby” and smelt of ammonia.

He was told the room at the front of the 18ft caravan was the “poo room” for the dogs and found conditions “wholly unsuitable”.

All six dogs were taken into the care of the RSPCA.

Prosecutor Mrs Wheadon also told the court that another of Maslen’s dogs, a Lurcher called Mandy, was taken into RSPCA care in June 2014 over concerns it had a skin infection and was being left for up to nine hours a day.

Giving evidence Maslen told the court she had taken Reggie off someone else after she found him living in “horrific” conditions.

She said she feared going to a vet as she felt she was in a “vulnerable” position.

When under cross examination about the conditions in the caravan she insisted there was enough space for the doges to be comfortable.

She added that she did take Mandy to a vet but not Pooh Bear as he was not displaying any changes in behaviour.

Vet Nigel Vogel told the court how the first indicator a dog is suffering is “behaviour changes” and Pooh Bear did not have any.

The trial has been adjourned until April.

Proceeding.