A HAMPSHIRE dog owner has been banned from keeping animals for five years after causing her dog to bleed and collapse, which ultimately led to her being put to sleep.

Lesley Marieanne Duke, 53 of St John’s Square in Gosport, admitted two charges of causing unnecessary suffering to her German Shepherd after she was seen struggling with blood coming from her injured paws.

National animal charity the RSPCA had been called on May 24 this year after Duke had been confronted by members of the public in Brockenhurst Road.

Ten-year-old Kitty Karna was bleeding from her paws after excessive walking in the extreme heat, with temperatures that day reaching 25C.

She subsequently collapsed, and despite initially recovering well, she suffered with kidney failure and had to be put to sleep.

Appearing at Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court on September 18, Duke was banned from keeping any animal for five years.

RSPCA inspector Jenny Ride, who investigated the case, praised the strangers who stopped to help.

Jenny said: “Kitty had been walked excessively in extremely hot weather through the streets which caused her paws to bleed before she finally collapsed of heat exhaustion.

“Thankfully the kind people who saw her suffering rushed to her aid and took her to the vets where she was treated and deemed to be suffering.

“During hot weather, the RSPCA advise people to walk your dog in the morning or evening when it will not burn on the pavement or be at increased risk of heatstroke, and to be alert for signs of burned pads or other heat related health issues.

“Dogs need exercise, even when it is hot, so walking your dog early in the morning or later in the evening can help mitigate risks associated with high temperatures.”

Duke was also sentenced to 80 hours of unpaid work and ordered to pay £50 court costs.