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Pet owner given ban after dog 'riddled with fleas'

Phil TowersYorkshire
News imageRSPCA A light brown dog, being held by somebody in a blue jacket. The dog's eyes can not be seen through the matted hair covering them.RSPCA
Merlin was rushed to the vet after concerns were raised about his condition

A woman has been permanently banned from owning animals after her dog was found "riddled with fleas from nose to tail".

Merlin the 14-year-old poodle cross was rescued from a house in Keighley and rushed to a local vet, with the pet also suffering from a matted coat and ruptured eyes due to an infection.

Owner Sherry Jacqueline Skillen, 63, admitted two animal neglect-related offences at Bradford Magistrates' Court last Friday in a case brought by the RSPCA.

A vet said it was the worst case of flea infestation they had encountered in their career, with Merlin having to be put down "due to the severity of his condition".

Skillen, of Beauvais Drive, Riddlesden, was given a 12-week suspended prison sentence and must pay £400 in costs and a victim surcharge of £187.

The dog was removed from Skillen's home in June 2025 by the Aireworth Dogs In Need charity after it had received reports of him being in a collapsed state.

In a witness statement, a vet described how Merlin had been carried into the clinic due to his reluctance to stand up or walk.

"His entire coat was severely matted with dirt and faeces," they said.

"The severity of Merlin's coat would have likely taken weeks if not months of neglecting treatment to reach the state in which it was in."

They added: "From nose to tail his entire body was riddled by fleas."

News imageRSPCA A very poorly-looking light brown dog, with matted fur and a plastic cone around its neck. He is sitting on a dirty-looking grey cushion.RSPCA
Merlin was rescued last year but was later put down "due to the severity of his condition"

After sentencing, RSPCA inspector Natalie Taylor said: "There is no excuse for poor Merlin's shocking condition and the extent of suffering he experienced.

"This case has been extremely upsetting for all involved and I'm sure will stay with many of us for a long time."

Nicola Garner, trustee at Aireworth Dogs In Need, said: "We would have dearly loved to nurse Merlin back to health and give him the loving home he deserved.

"Sadly, due to the severity of his condition, the intensive and invasive treatment he would have required and his advanced age, it was agreed with the veterinary team that the kindest and most humane course of action was to end his suffering."

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