South London man refused veterinary care for pregnant bulldog ‘who was in pain’

A Tooting man has been given a three-year community order and banned from owning a dog for three years after his seriously ill and pregnant French bulldog died after she was not taken to a vet in time for emergency care .

David Yamoah, 43, of Althorp Road, Tooting, was charged by the RSPCA with negligence leading to the dog’s death.

RSPCA Deputy Chief Inspector Lynn Serrano, in an official court statement, revealed that on October 1, 2022, BlueCross Victoria Animal Hospital informed her of a gray and tan bulldog that had been admitted in a horrible condition.

Serrano informed the court that “the dog was reported to be ‘in pain’ without veterinary treatment.”

Cake was in such poor health that she died before a vet could perform a C-section.

Giving more evidence, a BlueCross veterinarian said Yamoah sought medical help two days after Cake went into labor.

The dog was transferred to a private veterinary clinic on September 30, 2022, as it required an urgent referral to the BlueCross hospital, but he did not take his dog then and there.

Defendant ended up taking Cake to the animal hospital the next evening.

At that time, the dog was already in a state of collapse, struggling with hypothermia and severe dehydration.

The vet’s statement read: “We tried to stabilize her but she deteriorated and went into respiratory and cardiac arrest.”

An autopsy performed revealed that along with extreme thinness, Cake was also battling severe lung disease and a major uterine infection, which likely precipitated the septic shock.

According to an RSPCA vet who reviewed the evidence, Cake could have been in pain for several weeks or more, which was avoidable with standard care and earlier veterinary intervention.

At the hearing, Yamoah expressed regret for his actions, arguing that it was his first offence.

Yamoah pleaded not guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to his dog, Cake, by failing to provide prompt and effective veterinary care to address her medical condition.

He was found guilty of the charge and also pleaded not guilty to a separate charge of failing to provide for the needs of the dog.

The trial took place at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court on June 20.

Yamoah must now complete 280 hours of unpaid work.

A district judge also made him subject to a prohibited activity order, banning him from owning or looking after a dog for three years, as part of his community sentence.

As well as the community order, the judge also ordered him to pay a £114 victim surcharge and £322 costs.