Dog owner whose pets grew 14-inch dreadlocks got life-long ban on keeping pets in the UK 

A pet owner who left his dog unbathed for 13 years, making it grow 13.5-inch dreadlocks, has been banned from keeping animals for life.

RSPCA

RSPCA

RSPCA

Paul Padmore, 58, couldn't manage his work of brushing or grooming his Yorkshire terrier Poppy. 

The dreadlocks weighted almost 2kg and burdened the dog much which could barely walk. It was discovered by a member of the public called the RSPCA.

RSPCA

RSPCA

Officers from the animal charity found it has a serious spinal problem after it was rehoused.

The ower, Padmore pleaded guilty, on 4 December, Monday, at Birmingham Magistrates' Court. He was disqualified to keep animals for life, given a six-week community order and fined £100 and £85 victim surcharge.

RSPCA

RSPCA

The inspector from RSPCA, Beth Boyd said the puppy was completely covered in dreadlocks.

"Padmore admitted that he had never brushed or groomed her the whole time he had her, which was years," he added. "Not only was her fur in a poor condition, but also her claws were overgrown."

Luckily, the dog is now clean and healthy. 

RSPCA

RSPCA

DETROIT (AP) — A dog missing in California since the summer turned up more than 2,000 miles away in suburban Detroit.

Police in Harper Woods responded to a call about a stray dog last week, picked up the terrier mix and contacted an animal welfare group.

The Grosse Pointe Animal Adoption Society said it quickly discovered that the dog, named Mishka, had an identity chip implanted in her with information about her owners.

Mehrad Houman and his family live in San Diego but were planning to travel to Minnesota when the call came in. He landed there and then drove 10 hours to Michigan for a reunion with Mishka, the adoption group said on a Facebook post with pictures and video.

“This is a tale that Hollywood would love to tell,” the group said.

Mishka had wandered away from Houman’s workplace, an auto garage, in July and never returned. Her collar had the family's phone number.

“We think it was stolen and then it was sold and ended up in Michigan,” said Corinne Martin, director of the animal welfare group.

Houman's wife, Elizabeth, said it's “been an incredible journey.”

“I never gave up,” she said Thursday. “I put up over a thousand flyers. I had a flyer on my back windshield. I wore her leash whenever I would look for her. ... Now I just want to find out how she got to Michigan."

Veterinarian Nancy Pillsbury examined 3-year-old Mishka, gave her a rabies shot and cleared her to travel home to California.

“She was clean, well-fed. Whoever had her took good care of her,” Pillsbury told The Associated Press. “How she got here — that's a story only Mishka knows."

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In this image provided by Corinne Martin, Mehrad Houman holds his dog, Mishka, after she was examined by veterinarian Nancy Pillsbury in Harper Woods, Mich., Friday, March 29, 2024. Mishka was discovered in suburban Detroit, eight months after disappearing in San Diego. (Corinne Martin via AP)