Dog owner who left his pet 'slumped' in blazing 30C heat is jailed

Dog owner, 21, who left his American Bulldog named Crystal ‘slumped’ outside in 30C heat with no shade or water is jailed for 16 weeks and banned from owning dogs for three years

• Walter Kanhukamwe, 21, was arrested after his pet Crystal was found ‘slumped’ 

A dog owner who left his American Bulldog outside in the blazing 30C sun with no shade or water has been jailed. 

Walter Kanhukamwe, 21, of Newport, was arrested after his pet Crystal was found ‘slumped’ in the garden due to heat exhaustion. A court heard police were called by concerned onlookers who spotted the animal alone in the heat.

Officers discovered pet pooch Crystal in a ‘collapsed state’ at about 2pm in July last year after she had been left in the garden since the previous evening.

They immediately attempted to cool her down and a veterinary surgeon said the animal was panting so much that she was almost in respiratory distress with a temperature of 39.8C.

The dog’s high temperature was classed as hypothermia and close to fatal before the RSPCA launched an investigation.

Walter Kanhukamwe, 21, was arrested after his pet Crystal was found ‘slumped’ in the garden

A court heard police were called by concerned onlookers who spotted Crystal (pictured) alone in 30C heat

The conditions the dogs were kept in under the care of Kanhukamwe

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Magistrates in Newport heard the RSPCA had visited Kanhukamwe’s home multiple times over concerns about two dogs being left for long periods in unsuitable conditions.

RSPCA inspectors issued Animal Welfare Warning notices and requested that improvements were made.

The court heard Kanhukamwe told inspectors the dogs had cardboard available to them for bedding and that there were no hazards present.

He said he didn’t provide any other form of bedding as the dogs were destructive and would shred it.

Kanhukamwe denied causing unnecessary suffering to Crystal and not ensuring the needs of his two dogs were met properly.

But he was sentenced to 16 weeks and banned from keeping dogs for three years.

Magistrates in Newport heard the RSPCA had visited Kanhukamwe’s home multiple times over concerns about two dogs being left for long periods in unsuitable conditions

The court heard Kanhukamwe told inspectors the dogs had cardboard available to them for bedding

Walter Kanhukamwe, 21, has been banned from keeping dogs for three years

RSCPA inspector Emma Smith said: ‘Kanhukamwe had been given very clear advice about the importance of not leaving the dogs for long periods and the importance of providing suitable shelter, bedding and adequate supplies of water.

‘It is heartbreaking to think about what Crystal went through on that hot summer day – it was completely avoidable.

‘Luckily she pulled through – but her temperature when she arrived at the vets was close to fatal – so it was very touch and go for a while. Thankfully she recovered fully and hopefully soon will have her forever home.’

Crystal has been in RSPCA care and was signed over to the charity to be rehomed.

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