A VET from Sopley is under investigation after subjecting two of her own dogs to cruelty.

Kerstin Vockert's pet dogs, Millie a cocker spaniel and Happy a shih-tzu, were found with “horrifically matted fur, caked in mud and faeces" when RSPCA officers raided her Ringwood Road home.

They found Happy, an 11-year-old rescue dog and Millie, had not been groomed for at least six months and their mangled coats caused them discomfort.

Kerstin Vockert, 56, of Ringwood Road, Sopley, appeared at Bournemouth Magistrates’ Court on Thursday having previously admitted failing to meet the dogs’ needs and protect them from suffering by not adequately grooming them, contrary to the Animal Welfare Act.

The vet of 19 years and director of Ark Aid Veterinary Centre, Irving Road, Bournemouth, which has no links to Ark Aid in Poole, was fined £620, as well as having to pay a victim surcharge of £62 and costs of £300.

The court heard Millie and Happy were found last September with severely matted fur caked in mud and faeces.

Happy was found wandering in the road late at night by passers-by who took him in. The dog warden was contacted and took the dog to a vet and, despite Happy having no collar or tag, tracked down Vockert. The RSPCA was alerted and inspectors visited Ms Vockert’s address where they saw other dogs, including heavily matted cocker spaniel Millie.When they returned the next day, Vockert had put Millie to sleep. Millie’s body was surrendered to the RSPCA.

Matthew Knight, prosecuting for the RSPCA, told the court: “It’s not acceptable to leave coats to degenerate to this level. She was aware of this. As a veterinary surgeon she should have known better and she should have done something about it.”

The court was told that Ms Vockert had been given advice on regular grooming by the RSPCA in 2012 in relation to a heavily matted shih tzu.

In mitigation, personal circumstances as well as difficulty in grooming the dogs were cited.

Stephen Barnfield, defending, said: “This was not wilful neglect or even careless neglect, but misjudgement, and she accepts the decision not to groom them was wrong, but it was made with the best intentions.

“She cares for all her dogs - walking them three times a day, worming them every three months and all the other dogs go to the groomers on an eight-weekly cycle.”

Insp Patrick Bailey said: “I have dealt with numerous matted dogs in my career with the RSPCA but I have never seen any as horrifically matted as Millie was. Both dogs had terribly matted fur which was covered in urine and faeces and Happy had to be completely shaved. Dogs cannot be left in this way - they would both have been in a huge amount of discomfort which could all have been avoided had they just received the care they needed.”

Happy had to have an eye removed, which had prolapsed. He is being cared for by a foster family who plan to keep him. permanently.

Inspector Bailey added: “Happy looks like a different dog now and has always enjoyed his grooming. Despite being blind in his remaining eye, he has learnt his way around his new home and settled in perfectly. I’m glad that he will now live up to his name in a great new home.”

Vockert was allowed to continue keeping animals after she told the court a ban would mean ‘professional ruin’ for her. She faces a probe from the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, which could see her barred from practising.

A spokesman for the Royal College said: “We consider all concerns that are raised with us about veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses and can confirm that we have received a complaint about Ms Kerstin Vockert MRCVS, which we are investigating.”