A MAGISTRATE and her daughter have been convicted of causing unnecessary suffering to two dogs.

Gail Bradshaw, 64, and Nicola Bradshaw, 29, of Minehead Avenue, Leigh, were found guilty in a two-day trial at Preston Magistrates’ Court.

The charges relate to two West Highland white terriers called Poppy and Holly.

One of the charges refers to a day or dates between April 1, 2015 and September 29, 2017, with the second one alleging the defendants were at fault for the same length of time from November 29, 2016 to September 29, 2017.

Gail Bradshaw has served at Wigan and Leigh Magistrates’ Court for 30 years.

RSPCA inspector Vicki McDonald said: “The severity of the skin conditions and fur loss suffered by these dogs was the worst I’ve seen in my 15-year career.

“They were in an absolutely shocking state.

“When I first saw Poppy she was wearing a filthy baby jumper.

"Gail Bradshaw said she put it on her to keep her warm and to stop her scratching herself raw.

"When the vet tried to remove the jumper it had stuck to Poppy’s weeping skin around her armpits, chest and front legs.”

The court heard visits to the vets with Poppy in 2014 and 2015 established the cause of her fur loss and skin infection but the Bradshaws were inconsistent with following the treatment plans.

When the advice was followed, improvements were made but the lack of consistency in following the treatment properly caused Poppy's condition to worsen.

A new treatment plan was put in place by the vet in March 2015 with the instruction to return in seven to ten days but Poppy was never taken.

Inspector McDonald added: “Gail Bradshaw said she didn’t think the vet treatment was working so decided to self treat the condition after seeking advice from the internet and friends.

"However over the following two years Poppy's condition deteriorated to the state she was found in when I attended.

“When Holly started to get similar symptoms in early 2017 she was never taken to the vet.

"This is despite both dogs having 'ultimate' Petplan insurance which could have covered the treatment.”

Magistrates said Gail Bradshaw's recollection of previous vet visits were vague and she offered no credible explanation for not following treatment plans or seeking further vet treatment.

When the two dogs came into RSPCA care their conditions improved rapidly where they remain pending the outcome of the case.

Nicola Bradshaw declined to give evidence or to be cross-examined in the trial.

A pre-sentencing report will take place on Tuesday, May 8.