Dog owners – how many times have you seen your pup dive into a muddy puddle, and you just gave up, knowing that it would be doggy bath time once you got home? Or perhaps you have a trusty dog groomer you can call in case of such emergencies. Responsible dog owners always make sure their pets are clean and happy. Sadly, that wasn’t the case for Barney. This adorable Russian terrier’s fur was so matted and dirty, it was hard to tell there it was a dog and not a dirty rag.
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When RSCPA seized Barney from his previous owner, it was hard to tell that there was a dog hiding underneath that pile of matted fur
Image credits: RSPCA (England & Wales)
“You become responsible, forever, for what you have tamed,” wrote Antoine de Saint-Exupery in his classic book The Little Prince. For many, this story about a boy and a fox was their first encounter with responsibility for pets. Despite bringing an insurmountable amount of joy, pets require a lot of time and dedication. They cannot tell us “Hey, I’m hungry and bored” or “Please scratch my ears” so it's up to owners to ensure their well-being.
If Barney the Russian Terrier could talk, he would’ve definitely told his owner “Please, please, please groom me!” This adorable boy was finally seized by Kent Police's Rural Task Force and handed over to RSPCA after the animal welfare charity made numerous attempts to encourage Barney’s owner to groom the terrier. Sadly, the pleas were not heard and Barney went for over 19 months without seeing a brush or a nail clipper.
Investigating inspector Tina Nash recalled her horror in a witness statement:
“He was extremely matted, with big clumps of fur hanging off of him. The dog did not smell very nice and made me want to retch.”
“He was extremely matted, with big clumps of fur hanging off of him. The dog did not smell very nice and made me want to retch,” a RSPCA inspector said
Image credits: RSPCA (England & Wales)
The vet sedated Barney and shaved the smelly fur - all 7.8kg of it! "The weight of this coat would have risen considerably when the dog was wet" said the vet
Image credits: RSPCA (England & Wales)
Barney’s owner, Tim Ronald Springett, believed that his breed didn’t need grooming despite the fact that it had become impossible to see Barney’s face underneath all that matted fur. The poor pup was in a lot of pain due to extra weight pulling on him from every inch of his body. Barney needed to be rescued as soon as possible.
"The environment was very untidy with lots of stuff everywhere and very dirty. I went into the back garden, which was covered in feces and very dirty. There were no dry areas for the dog,” said Ms. Nash.
As the situation was dire, Barney was taken to the vet, where he was sedated. The dirty, matted fur was shaved off the dog’s body and weighed an astounding 7.8kg!
"The dog had been made to support a coat weighing approximately 21% of his body weight as he moved around. The weight of this coat would have risen considerably when the dog was wet. I'm in no doubt that this would cause the animal physical stress as he moved,” said the consulting vet.
“It's my professional opinion, based on the information provided to me, that the person responsible for the care of the dog had failed to provide the dog with a sheltered sleeping area with bedding,” he said in a conclusion, ensuring that Barney would never return to his previous home.
After the beauty procedures, Barney went to a private boarding facility where this beautiful boy is thriving. He will soon begin the search for a new forever home
Image credits: RSPCA (England & Wales)
Beautiful boy Barney was clearly relieved after his incredible transformation and gave many thank-you kisses to his rescuers. He is currently living at a private boarding facility where he is thriving. Soon he will begin the search for his forever family, who will ensure he is properly taken care of.
As for Barney’s owner, he was given 12 months of community order including 10 rehabilitation activity requirement days. He was also ordered to pay £400 (506 USD) in costs and £95 (120 USD) victim surcharge. Mr. Springett received a five-year ban on keeping all animals.
He had admitted that he had been unwell and therefore unable to offer proper care for Barney. It is understandable, as no one is safe from health issues. However, when life becomes tough, it is important to ask oneself, what would be the best for our four-legged friends? 19 months without grooming, or being taken in by an animal welfare organization that would find them a safe new home?
Dog grooming is important and not just for beauty reasons
Image credits: RSPCA (England & Wales)
In an interview with Bored Panda, a co-owner of dog grooming salon Molly, Viktorija, shared the importance of dog grooming. “It’s not just about beauty but also about your dog’s health. During the grooming, we can see the condition of the skin and even find ticks or new lumps the owners might miss.”
“Many people still believe that dog grooming is reserved only for show dogs, but in our experience, every pup benefits from it. You know that amazing feeling when you shower after a few days of being dirty and sweaty? Imagine how relieved your dog feels once they get rid of that grime and extra fur.”
We inquired how often dogs should be groomed. “It depends on the dog. But I would say every 2-3 months is ideal and more often during the shedding season if you don’t want your home to be covered in fur.”
Seeing so many new doggie spas popping up, we wonder if this service is becoming more popular. “It surely is! Dogs aren’t just pets anymore – they are considered important members of the family and people are willing to spend more money and time to ensure they have the best possible lives. But I think no money could repay the love they give us.”
But what should owners of reactive dogs do if most groomers only accept well-behaved toy breed dogs? “It’s not true! Sure, a lot of salons only want to work with little ones, but after a good research, the owners of reactive dogs can find experienced groomers that can deal with meanies in a calm and gentle manner. And they also have treats ready!”
Luckily, Barney’s story has a happy ending and we’re sure he will find good owners who will appreciate his beauty. Hopefully, this article will inspire pet owners to pick up a brush and give that fluffy coat extra attention today.
Do your pets like grooming?
People in the comments were relieved that beautiful Barney got his happy ending - although most of them felt that a 5-year ban is not sufficient enough
