CONVICTED (2020) | Stephen New, born c. 1986, of 7 Seymour Road, Maltby, Rotherham S66 7PH – locked his two dogs in a cage to starve to death
New pleaded guilty to one offence of unnecessary suffering to boxers Bruno, aged 2, and Ruby, 18 months. The two dogs were found dead and curled up together in a crate by police.
RSPCA inspector Vanessa Reid was called to the property on July 14, 2020, after officers became concerned about the welfare of the animals in the house after seeing flies at the windows.
“I arrived to find police officers had already been granted access by the owner to find the dead bodies of two boxers in a crate in the kitchen,” she said.
“When I entered the house I could immediately smell a strong aroma that I know to be the smell of rotting dead bodies.
“The house was quite dark with all blinds closed, and had very little furniture inside.
“I had walked past several bags of dog food, some opened, some full and sealed, along with other dog items such as toys and leads.
“The kitchen was cluttered and grimey.
“On the side, there was a jar full of dog chews, a large bowl full of dog food, and a smaller bowl containing a small amount of food and some faeces.
“In the centre of the kitchen was a large training crate containing the remains of two dogs.
“They were laid together, tucked up beside a bowl which was on its side.
“I’m not sure whether it was a food or water bowl but it had been licked clean.
“There was a layer of thick faeces in and surrounding the cage.
“I tried to move the bodies, which had begun to decompose, and saw there were maggots present.”
The court heard how New had “struggled to cope” after the death of his girlfriend and failed to care for the two dogs during this period.
Vets believed the dogs had been left for up to five days with only a single bowl of water and food, and expressed concern that New saw them getting weaker and thinner but still didn’t take action.
Professionals were unable to conduct a post-mortem due to the decomposition of the pets’ bodies but concluded that the dogs had died due to a lack of food and water and would have suffered greatly.
Inspector Reid added: “These poor dogs were left to starve to death inside a cage – with jars full of dog treats and open bags of food just metres away.”
Sentencing: 12-week prison sentence, suspended for two years; £400 in costs. Lifetime ban on keeping animals.