A DOG’S eye had to be removed when her owner failed to seek help from a vet because he had not paid his bill, a court has heard.

Terrance Christopher Watts, of Coombes Drive, Milford Haven, pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a dog when he appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates on Monday.

Jon Tarrant, prosecuting, told the court that Missy had an eye wound which had become infected, and Watts had failed to make sure the animal received appropriate care from a vet.

“It became so severe that the eye had to be removed.”

He added that it was estimated the injury had occurred two weeks before the RSPCA intervened.

“During that time the dog would have suffered significantly as a result.”

The court heard that Mr Watts’ neighbour noticed that the dog’s eye looked infected on August 28, but he stated he could not afford to take her to a vet.

He was given a number for the RSPCA voucher line and told to ask for help, as the eye looked inflamed and painful, but a RSPCA inspector saw that it was wet and red on September 7.

Watts, 54, stated that he could not go to his local vet as he owed him money from a previous visit.

Mr Tarrant said: “The eyeball was found to have been ruptured when examined by a vet.

“The eye was too severe to save and the dog would have been in significant pain due to the injury and would have experienced significant distress.”

He added that all Watts’ animals had now been signed over to the care of the RSPCA.

The bench heard that Watts was on benefits and had been struggling with his finances due to family difficulties and debts following the break-up of his relationship.

Mike Kelleher, defending, said: “It is not clear how the dog was injured. The condition of her eye deteriorated very rapidly.”

Mr Kelleher added that Watts had attempted treatments suggested by others, and cared for his animals, but he had been caught out by things going downhill quickly.

“Obviously in hindsight he should have sought advice from the RSPCA. His local vet would have refused to see him anyway because he owed him money.”

Magistrates sentenced Watts to a 12 month community order with 80 hours of unpaid work, and ordered him to pay £235 in costs and charges.

He was banned from keeping animals for three years.