CONVICTED (2022) | | William McCulloch, born c. 1979, a traveller based in the Cumbria region – kept an emaciated ‘guard’ dog tethered outside a carpet shop on an industrial estate.
German shepherd Sheba was found in shocking conditions at the warehouse premises of Billy’s Carpets & Sofas, Unit 9, SandySike, Longtown, Carlisle, which is purportedly owned by McCulloch’s son, Billy McCulloch.
Steven Marsh, prosecuting for the RSPCA, said concerns were first raised on November 16, 2021 when a rescue officer from the charity visited the premises.
“Sheba was tethered outside the unit and in the officer’s view looked lean,” said Mr Marsh. The dog’s kennel was dilapidated, its entry point chewed and frayed, providing little protection from the elements.
“The officer also noted there was no bedding and [carpet shop staff] told him the dog chewed its bedding. The shop assistant was advised that straw could be used as an alternative. He said he’d tell the dog’s owner.”
The dog’s bowl was also empty and the assistant duly filled it with water.
On December 2, said Mr Marsh, RSPCA inspector Chris Towler visited the site and found that Sheba was by now emaciated. The outline of her ribs and other major bones clearly visible through her skin.
Her fur was heavily matted and dirty.
Consequently, the dog was seized and examined by a vet. Her weight was 14.8kg and her body condition assessed as just 1 on a nine-point scale.
“The results were indicative of malnutrition over a long period,” said Mr Marsh.
Sheba was also anaemic.
“In my opinion,” concluded the vet, “this dog has undergone a degree of suffering due to malnutrition; and she would have been susceptible to secondary diseases. ”
The suffering had persisted for at least a month, said the vet.
After being rescued, and rehomed, Sheba’s weight normalised, eventually reaching 26.85kg by March 2022.
McCulloch admitted causing unnecessary suffering by not properly feeding his dog; and by not providing her with a suitably comfortable and clean environment.
Andrew Gurney, defending, said the defendant was battling with serious mental health issues when he committed the offences.
“Mr McCulloch had been married for 25 years and had a business, owned by his wife, and he was doing very, very well for himself,” said the lawyer. “But his wife abruptly ended their marriage and he was forced out of the family home.”
The defendant – now with no fixed address – had nowhere to keep his dog and so his son agreed that it could be housed next to his carpet business and that it could be used as a guard dog while living there.
“It was to be tethered and cared for by the carpet shop staff,” said Mr Gurney.
“He was a broken man and hadn’t expected his marriage to end as it did. He was suffering suicidal ideation and not coping day to day with looking after himself, let alone with looking after the dog.
“He thought he’d taken appropriate steps to look after the dog. But he accepts the ultimate responsibility was his.”
Mr Gurney added that McCulloch had cooperated fully with the RSPCA investigation and immediately when asked he had signed Sheba over so that she could be rehomed. The lawyer added: “He is truly remorseful.”
After the case, Mr Towler said he noted the defendant’s difficult personal circumstances.
“But there’s no excuse in today’s world to have a dog in that condition,” said the inspector. “The right thing to do was to seek help. It’s galling that one of our officers visited the site a month before Sheba was found in that condition.”
Mr Towler added that Sheba was now in the care of new owners, who “absolutely adored” her and were giving her loving care.
Sentencing | 12-month community order, with 180 hours of unpaid work; £495 costs and charges. Banned from keeping any animal for 10 years but may appeal after just five years.
Additional information
The McCulloch traveller family’s various business interests include Sisters Fascinators. They are also prolific dog breeders.
