United Kingdom: Kenneth Nigel Mackenzie, 53, knew his Westie was suffering but wouldn't take him to the vet

UNITED KINGDOM -- RSPCA staff have rescued a tiny dog which was left to suffer for more than a year with a huge tumor on his face.

Cruel Kenneth Nigel Mackenzie failed to get treatment for his West Highland Terrier's severely infected, weeping tumor.

The owner has now been banned from keeping animals for five years after pleading guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to nine-year-old Max at Swindon court yesterday.

RSPCA officers in Bristol launched an investigation after being made aware of Max's condition.

They said what they found was like "something out of a horror film".

Max was taken to the charity's Bristol clinic where he was found to be in so much pain that he was put into the RSPCA's permanent care.

Vets have since treated Max and removed his tumor, and he is now on his way to making a full recovery.

RSPCA officer Miranda Albinson, who investigated the case, said it was a "heartbreaking and inexcusable case of neglect".

She said: "I found Max in the corner of a room in the defendant's house in a terrible state.

"Not only was his tumor gruesome and shocking - it was like something out of a horror film - but the poor boy was dirty and emaciated and I have rarely seen a more depressed dog in all of my time at the RSPCA.

"He barely even had the enthusiasm to respond to me and that just goes to show exactly how much pain he must have been in - it was just a very sad case and I dread to think of how much he must have suffered."

Mackenzie, 53, admitted that he knew the dog was in pain but never took him to see a vet for the treatment he desperately required.

The defendant also admitted in an interview that every morning when he came down he hoped that the dog had died peacefully.  He said it was a relief that the dog was now out of the house.

Mackenzie was convicted for two counts of cruelty under the Animal Welfare Act and was disqualified from owning animals for five years.

He was also given 180 hours of unpaid work, a 12-month community order and ordered to pay £300 costs during the hearing at Swindon Magistrates' Court.

The RSPCA officer added: "Since then, Max has been successfully treated, his tumor has been removed, and it's like he's got a new lease of life - he's a different dog now.  He's improving daily and the difference in his behavior is just remarkable.

"He also has been lucky enough to find a loving new home already and I'm truly over the moon that a dog as sweet as Max can now put this experience behind him.

"He has a much happier future ahead."

(Bristol Post UK - Jan 20, 2016)