Monthly Archives: May 2022

Dogs

Tamworth, Staffordshire: Susan Pace and Marian Smith

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CONVICTED (2022) | Susan Pace, born c. 1953, and Marian Hazel Smith, born c. 1966, both of Browning Close, Tamworth B79 8NB – for cruelty to three puppies, two of whom did not survive.

Susan Pace (left) and Marian Hazel Smith banned from keeping animals for four years after three puppies in their care fell seriously ill.

Susan Pace and Marian Smith were found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to the female puppies: West Highland terrier-types Tilly and Daisy, and a Jack Russell named Mini , by failing to provide adequate or reasonable care and supervision in respect of their protection from harm.

All three puppies developed mysterious illnesses over a period of around five months which led to concerns for their welfare by a vet who had been treating them.

Mini (left) recovered from her ordeal but little Tilly didn’t survive.

Tragically, little Tilly died and Daisy was put to sleep on welfare grounds after both had recently been examined by a veterinary surgeon. A cause of death was not established in either case other than their deaths were unexpected.

Another two dogs had died within the same home environment without explanation.

He said: “Daisy and Mini had recurrent episodes (five in total) of ulceration of the mouth, tongue or eyes. The clinical signs were very similar in each case having ulceration of the mouth, tongue and/or eyes and were consistent with the puppies reacting to facial contact with a corrosive agent such as a caustic detergent.

“Daisy at an age of 10 weeks was found to have developed ulceration of the mouth and tongue with inflammation of the nose suspected to have been caused by toxicity, bacteria, virus or electrocution.

“After making a good recovery the condition occurred again. At this stage it would be expected that a reasonable owner would begin to take precautions regarding Daisy’s activities and the environment within which she may come into contact with injurious hazards.”

He also noted that Mini at the age of 10 weeks showed signs of having conjunctivitis and developed a sore mouth with ulceration of the tongue almost identical to that experienced by Daisy two-three months earlier.

“At this time the examining veterinary surgeon raised the suspicion of the puppy having contacted alkaline disinfectants. By 12/11/20 Mini was considered to be recovering very well. However, an episode of eye ulceration and sudden development of swelling around the muzzle was reported on 15/11/20 and a further episode of mouth ulceration started to develop again on 20/11/20.

“This would suggest that Mini had been further exposed to the cause of the eye and mouth ulceration subsequent to the first episode on 5/11/20.”

He said that in his opinion the needs of Tilly, Daisy and Mini had not been met to the extent required by good practice due to the person responsible for the welfare of these animals failing to protect them from disease.

“It appears from the medical notes that prompt veterinary advice and treatment was sought on each occasion reducing the suffering experienced by those animals,” he said.

“However, it follows that if the person(s) responsible for the welfare of these animals failed to meet their needs as a consequence of failing to protect them from disease, it also follows that these animals were caused to suffer as a consequence of that failure.”

The court heard a witness statement from RSPCA inspector Herchy Boal who attended the veterinary hospital where Mini was being cared for on 24 November 2020.

She then later visited Pace and Smith at their home address – along with police – and advised them that all of their animals were to be removed pending an investigation due to concerns raised about the care of puppies they recently had.

A female Cavachon dog, female Yorkshire terrier, a grey and yellow budgie, a yellow and green budgie, a female rabbit, a male rabbit, four guinea pigs and a tan hamster were removed from the property.

These animals, who have been in RSPCA care, will now be made available for rehoming. Mini, who has been with a foster family, has made a full recovery and will now be able to be rehomed officially.

Following the hearing, inspector Boal said: “We are very grateful to the vets for raising these concerns. The RSPCA very much relies on the public to be our eyes and ears and report any concerns about animal welfare.”

Sentencing | both were given an 18-month conditional discharge, ordered to pay £1,422 in costs and charges. They were disqualified from keeping any animals for four years (expires May 2026).

Birmingham Mail
BBC News

animal fighting / baiting, badger baiting, deer, Dogs, hunting with dogs, Organised Animal Crime, Traveller Animal Crimes, Wildlife Crime / Bloodsports

Maidstone, Kent: Mark Bond

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CONVICTED (2022) | serial wildlife criminal Mark Joseph Bond, born 26 February 1983, of 63 Mayfair Avenue, Maidstone ME15 6BZ.

Mark Bond with wife and mother of his two young children, Gemma Bond.

Bond, who has clear links to another wildlife persecutor from Loose, Jimmy Price, was given a suspended jail sentence after being found guilty of killing a fallow deer and causing unnecessary suffering to his dog Vegas, who he used for hunting.

Mark Bond told a friend he thought Vegas’ jaw would “drop off” if he carried on hunting with her. Picture: RSPCA

Magistrates told the married father-of-two he had a “total disregard” for Vegas’s well-being after messages he sent a friend revealed she had two holes in her jaw after being sent underground to hunt.

Bond, a director of his family’s business JRB Fabrications Ltd and roofer with sister company JRB Roofing Ltd, said he hadn’t taken Vegas to the vets but was treating her himself by cleaning the wound and giving her anti-inflammatories and antibiotics.

He admitted he’d been “ratting and rabbiting” before but had denied killing the fallow deer. His lawyer, Amy Hazlewood, told the court that her client now accepted his guilt, but was “remorseful”.

Hazlewood said that “it is a hobby which got out of hand.”, adding “since that day he has never engaged in the hobby.”

But Bond was slammed by magistrates for hunting for his “own gratification”, before being told: “It is clear from the evidence who and what you are.”

Probation officer Andrew Wood said any custodial sentence would mean “heartbreak” for Mr Bond’s young family, including both his children aged under 10.

During the two-day trial magistrates were shown chilling videos of badgers and boars being attacked by dogs and stabbed.

Videos included dogs attacking a boar, a badger and a deer, with the boar letting out a high-pitch squeal as it was stabbed by an unknown person.

The court also saw a picture of Bond posing with a dead boar, which prosecutor Richard Reynolds claimed was a “trophy” image. He also claimed Bond stabbed the animal after setting three dogs on it.

But Bond denied this, saying the boar was shot on land with the permission of the owner and was different to the animal filmed being stabbed.

In October 2019, RSPCA chief inspector William Mitchell visited Bond at his then home in Mayfair Avenue, Loose.

His five dogs were in kennels at the property while a fridge was found packed with meat and five skulls, thought to belong to deer.

A hunting knife and tools used for hunting were found in his van.

Magistrates told sick Bond: “It is clear from the evidence who and what you are.”

Bond gave evidence about injuries his terrier Vegas had sustained, as well as messages he sent on WhatsApp boasting about killing a deer.

He bragged his dog Vinnie killed a deer but when questioned by Mr Reynolds said the messages were just “a joke” and “banter” as friends would mock Vinnie’s hunting skill.

One read: “I’m out lamping now, Vinnie just got a fallow,” while in another he said he’d be “eating venison” for a week.

He was cleared of other charges during his trial in April 2022 including stabbing a boar, and killing a badger and another deer.

He appeared at Sevenoaks Magistrates’ Court on 20 May 2022 while his wife Gemma Bond, clearly standing by him, sat in court.

Sentencing | 90-day prison term for causing unnecessary harm to a dog with 60 days for killing the fallow deer, the terms were suspended for 18 months; 250 hours of unpaid work; 10 rehabilitation sessions; £1422 in costs and charges. 10-year ban on keeping dogs. Deprivation order for Vegas and three other dogs.

Kent Live

Cats

Stevenston, North Ayrshire: Barbara Jenkins

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CONVICTED (2022) | Barbara Jenkins, born c. 1981, of 79 Lundholm Road, Stevenston KA20 3LJ – failed to get treatment for her desperately ill cat.

Jenkins admitted causing unnecessary suffering to her pet cat through neglect from January 5, 2020 to January 5, 2021 .

The unnamed cat was suffering from poor body and health conditions including weight loss and muscle loss. Her suffering was compounded by an untreated mass on her cheek. The cat has since died.

Sentencing | community payback order of 20 hours of unpaid work. No ban.

Ardrossan Herald

Dogs, Lifers

West Bowling, Bradford: David Pickles

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CONVICTED (2022) | David Pickles, born 25 February 1959, of 272 St Stephens Road, West Bowling, Bradford BD5 7HJ – allowed his flea-infested dog to become emaciated.

David Pickles' dog Tiny was so weak due to prolonged neglect she struggled to lift her head
David Pickles’ dog Tiny was so weak due to prolonged neglect she struggled to lift her head

The RSPCA prosecuted David Pickles for causing unnecessary suffering to his pet dog called Tiny.

The charity visited Pickles’ home in February 2022 and found the dog collapsed and lying on a sofa. She was severely underweight with every bone visible.

Pickles told RSPCA Animal Rescue Officer Ollie Wilkes that Tiny had been losing weight since the New Year and had recently started going to the toilet on the sofa which prompted him to seek help. He admitted that Tiny had never been examined by a vet.

The dog was rushed to a vets for treatment but sadly it was decided to put her to sleep on welfare grounds.

Vets said they had never seen a dog so underweight. She weighed just 11.35kg against an ideal weight for a dog of her size of 20kg.

The vet found she was extremely weak, dehydrated, had a severe flea infestation, overgrown nails, dental disease and pressure sores on the bony prominences of her hips and down the right side of her rib cage.

She had a body condition score of one out of nine – with one being the lowest-. Radiographs were taken which showed she also had two aggressive tumours on her legs which would have been very painful.

Mitigation was heard in court that Pickles wanted Tiny to die in his arms at home. The court was told he couldn’t afford a taxi to the vet’s and even if he could he would have worried about her defecating in the taxi. He accepted that he had been very selfish.

The magistrates declined to see the photographs stating that they felt traumatised by the description of the dog’s condition alone.

After the hearing, Inspector Adam Dickinson said; “This was prolonged neglect that caused a high level of suffering. Tiny didn’t get in the state she was in overnight. Our plea to all animal owners is to make sure they always receive care and treatment from veterinary experts when they need it.

“If people are struggling to cover the costs, there are a number of charities which provide help for veterinary care for pet owners in genuine financial difficulties. People can also work with their vet to spread the cost of treatment.

“Pets are completely reliant on their owners to ensure their needs are met and they are kept safe and healthy. Owning an animal is a privilege – and ensuring appropriate veterinary care is a key part of the responsibility we have towards our pets. It’s so sad that, in this instance, that responsibility was not met.”

Sentencing | 12-month community order with a requirement to undertake 20 rehabilitation activity days; £95 victim surcharge. Indefinite ban on keeping animals, which can be appealed after five years.

Yorkshire Post

Dogs, Pet Profiteering, puppy farmers / traffickers, kennels, backyard breeders, Traveller Animal Crimes

Leeds, West Yorkshire: Joseph and Marina Lowther

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CONVICTED (2022) | puppy dealers Joseph John Lowther (known as John Lowther), born 8 July 1977, of the travellers site at Kidacre Park, Kidacre Street, Leeds LS10 1BD, and Marina Lowther, born 30 December 1979, of 1 Westway, Farsley, Pudsey LS28 5HU – kept worm-infested dogs and puppies crammed into a livestock trailer at Appleby Horse Fair.

Both Lowthers pleaded guilty to four charges of causing unnecessary suffering to animals under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

They were prosecuted for neglecting 10 of the 14 animals that the RSPCA took in.

The RSPCA followed up a report that a number of dogs were in a trailer parked near to Winter’s Farm in Appleby during the travellers fair on 13 August 2021.

Gypsy Joseph John Lowther was banned from keeping animals after he was caught with unwell puppies at Appleby Horse Fair

RSPCA inspectors Keith Hogben and Deborah Beats discovered the dogs were being kept in unhygienic conditions in five cages and some were unwell. They were advised by vets, who were in attendance, to have them seized which took place under police supervision.

Inspector Hogben’s described in his witness statement how he had found an underweight German Shepherd dog who was struggling to stand upright because the cage she was in with her five puppies was too small.

Inside a plastic dog kennel there was a border terrier and three puppies, all of whom were found to be suffering from lice infection.

Inspector Hogben said: “There were many dogs contained in cages. There was very little natural light in the trailer and a strong smell of ammonia and faeces.

“As the dogs were being removed from the cattle trailer… the situation became heated as John Lowther and a young boy tried to stop the dogs being removed and loaded into the transport that had arrived.”

Examinations were carried out on all the dogs at an Appleby veterinary practice, but sadly despite treatment the condition of one of the German Shepherd puppies deteriorated.

Vet Helen Gould stated in her report: “It is my opinion that this pup died due to a high worm burden with subsequent intestinal damage and secondary bacterial infection.”

She said that other pups, who were around six weeks old, all had “a massive worm burden and lice”, but responded to treatment with antibiotics and parasiticides. Their mother also needed treatment for lice and worms.

“These pups were suffering and had been for all of their lives. This could have been avoided by worming them from two weeks of age and treating them for lice,” said the vet.

RSPCA Chief Inspector Rebecca Lowe, who attended at the vets’ practice, said in her statement: “One of the puppies whilst in the crate was trying to toilet and had nothing but worms coming out of its rear end. There was no faeces, just worms.”

RSPCA vet Roxane Kirton concluded the dogs were housed in accommodation that failed to meet their needs, even if it was only for the duration of the fair.

In mitigation, the court was told that John Lowther had suffered from poor mental health exacerbated by the death of a close relative.

Magistrates said there was evidence of “extreme suffering and prolonged neglect”.

The dogs involved in the case have since been re-homed.

RSPCA Inspector Will Lamping said after the court hearing: “It was an upsetting scene that we were confronted with as the puppies were in a really sorry state riddled with worms and parasites.

“At the vets we observed many worms physically crawling from the behind of the pups while they were examined.

“One of them had to be put to sleep, but these infections could have been prevented easily, with proper worming treatments and routine preventive care.

“Thankfully all of the other pups pulled through and they and their mothers have since been re-homed.

“Unfortunately, we have seen a huge increase in people breeding puppies to sell and unscrupulous dealers breed them in poor condition with no thought for their health and wellbeing.

“While we’d always encourage people to rescue a dog we know that lots of families want to take on a puppy and to help them ensure they find a responsible breeder who prioritises the health and welfare of the dogs we believe it is incredibly important that they use a Puppy Contract from the RSPCA website.”

Sentencing |
Joseph John Lowther: 12-week prison sentence suspended for two years (expires May 2024). Eight-week curfew; costs and charges of £213.
Marina Lowther: 12-month community sentence with six-week curfew; costs and charges of £160. No ban.

ITV News

Cats, Lifers, Serial Animal Abusers, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers, Worst of the Worst

Blackburn / Darwen, Lancashire: Callum Richardson and Ellen Symon

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#MostEvil | Callum Richardson, born 14 June 1999, of 111 Heatley Close, Blackburn BB2 2LR, and Ellen Jayne Symon, born 17 May 2000, of Hazel Avenue, Darwen BB3 3AJ – banned from keeping animals for life after an 8-week-old kitten in their care died and two other cats were left with serious injuries.

Cat killers Callum Richardson and Ellen Symon from Lancashire. Picture: Facebook.

The pair both pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to the three cats identified as black and white male cat called Lucifer, a female grey and white kitten called Coco, and female tabby and white cat named Ellie.

Cruelty victim
Richardson and Symon left a dead kitten in a shoe box after throwing her against a wall

The court heard how Coco was found dead in Heatley Close, Blackburn, following a blunt force trauma incident, while Lucifer was found to have 13 fractured ribs, a fractured leg and a fractured cheekbone.

Ellie was also found unable to walk as she had a broken leg.

Serial cat abuser Callum Richardson from Blackburn, Lancs. Picture: Facebook.
Callum Richardson is banned from keeping animals for life after also inflicting injuries on two other cats

The RSPCA were called to investigate after a cat charity reported they had taken five cats into their care at the owner’s request – and some had injuries which suggested deliberate harm had been caused to the pets.
Inspector Danni Jennings collected the cats on November 4, 2020, and took them to the RSPCA’s Greater Manchester Animal Hospital for veterinary attention as two cats were struggling to walk and another cat called Ellie had a broken right front leg.

Cat killers Callum Richardson and Ellen Symon from Lancashire. Picture: Facebook.

The couple later said in interviews Ellie sustained a fractured front leg after she was struck with a sweeping brush during a domestic argument.
A leg amputation had to be carried out on Ellie who recovered from her injuries, but tests failed to establish what was causing the two other pets to lose their balance. A severe neurological condition was suspected but the cause was unknown.

Victims of cruelty
Another cat owned by the pair was found to have 13 fractured ribs, a fractured leg and a fractured cheekbone while a third cat was unable to walk as she had a broken leg.

A vet decided both pets had to be euthanised to end their suffering. The other two cats that were removed from the couple were treated for fleas and worms and were returned to full health.

Cat killers Callum Richardson and Ellen Symon from Lancashire. Picture: Facebook.

Two months later, on January 26, 2021, the RSPCA were called to reports that a kitten called Coco had been killed at Heatley Close where the couple were living together.

The kitten’s body was found in a shoe box in the home and both defendants accused each other of killing the eight-week old pet by throwing her against a wall.

Serial cat abuser Callum Richardson from Blackburn, Lancs. Picture: Facebook.

A post mortem showed this was probably the cause of death – but she had a number of blunt force injuries suggesting she had been thrown more than once.

Then, while the investigation continued, in August 2021 the RSPCA was called to reports the couple had another cat in their care, called Lucifer, who appeared severely injured and was screaming in pain.

Serial cat abuser Callum Richardson from Blackburn, Lancs. Picture: Facebook.

The one-year-old feline was collected by the RSPCA and rushed to the Greater Manchester Animal Hospital where he was discovered to have a fractured right hind leg, multiple historic fractures of the cheekbone and 13 fractures of the ribs.

Lucifer has since recovered after having his leg pinned and had to have two months of cage rest.

Serial cat abuser Callum Richardson from Blackburn, Lancs. Picture: Facebook.

An independent veterinary expert told the court: “In my opinion Lucifer was caused to suffer as a consequence of physical abuse on a number of occasions.

“Suffering would have been experienced by this animal via mechanisms of fear, distress and pain on at least three occasions within six weeks.

“The fractured right forelimb evident on Ellie is consistent with the injury being caused when hit with a sweeping brush as suggested in court.

“With regards Coco there appears to be no dispute that this eight week old kitten sustained injury via physical abuse by being thrown against a wall and the post.

“But the injuries sustained by this kitten are suggestive of more than one blunt force trauma having occurred and cannot be explained by being thrown against a wall on a single occasion.”

Ellie and Lucifer have since been rehomed by the RSPCA and are doing well in their new homes.

Sentencing | 18 week prison sentences, suspended for two years; 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days; £350 costs each. Lifetime ban.

Lancashire Telegraph
ITV News
LancsLive

Dogs, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers

Sherborne, North West Dorset: Jason White

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CONVICTED (2022) | Jason Zachary John White, born 4 March 1989, of The Plot, Holwell, Sherborne DT9 5LG – kept four large dogs confined in cars for nine months and subjected them to ‘brutal’ treatment.

The four dogs – Marley, Chester, Pickles and Teddy – were taken into the RSPCA’s care.

White pleaded guilty to three counts of failing to undertake the duty of a person responsible for an animal to ensure its welfare.

Prosecuting for the RSPCA, Matthew Knight, said at the time of the offending, the defendant had four dogs and was homeless, living in a car in a car park in Sherborne.

White had two German shepherds named Chester and Pickles and two huskies named Marley and Teddy. He said between March 13 and April 22, 2021, White used inappropriately harsh, and potentially painful or frightening disciplinary, training, handling or control methods.

White was also found to be keeping his dogs confined in cars for a period of nine months and was failing to give the dogs access to an adequate supply of clean drinking water.

A neighbour said he saw White’s dogs kept in cars for 24 hours or tied to a gate outside.

The neighbour was said to have also seen the defendant shouting and being physically aggressive to the dogs and collected a number of video and audio clips.

There was said to be video of the defendant shouting aggressively at the dogs as well as a clip of White showing one of the dogs his fist and the dog ‘cowering’.

On April 22, 2021, police and RSPCA attended and found three dogs kept in a car, which had its front seats removed and had no wheels. The windows of the car were closed and faeces and urine covered the floor.

Another dog was in a separate car which had its window open ‘slightly ajar’ and also had faeces and urine on the floor.

The dogs were seized and taken to a vet who examined them.

The vet said that keeping the dogs in cars was ‘unacceptable’ and concluded that the dogs were thirsty and were not being fed sufficiently.

The treatment of the dogs was said to be ‘brutal’ and ‘counterproductive’.

The dogs were taken away from White and put into the care of the RSPCA.

Mitigating, Simon Lacey, said: “The dogs were and still are really important to my client.”

He said one of the dogs, Teddy, was not very well and had to be put down while they were in the RSPCA’s care. He said White was able to be present and held Teddy as he was put down.

Mr Lacey said before the offending, White had a good job in Cornwall where the dogs were happy, but that issues with drugs and alcohol meant he decided to move to Dorset and started living in his car.

Whilst homeless, White struggled with his emotional and physical health, and suffered with a skin condition which sometimes made it hard for him to walk.

He said White accepts that he used inappropriate techniques to train his dogs and that he used inappropriate physical contact but not that he used a weapon or hit the dogs in a way that would harm them.

Mr Lacey said: “He has taken steps to sort his life out. He knows his care was inadequate and he regrets it, but he loves his dogs.”

Chair of the bench, David Ruston, made an order disqualifying White from owning or keeping a dog for three years and transferred the ownership of the remaining three dogs to the RSPCA.

Sentencing | 12-month community order with 20 rehabilitation activity days and 120 hours of unpaid work; £215 in costs and a surcharge. THREE-year ban on keeping dogs (expires May 2025).

Yahoo News
Dorset Echo

Dogs, Domestic Violence - Animals Targeted, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers

Barry, Vale of Glamorgan: Michael Stokes

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CONVICTED (2022) | Michael Stokes, born c. 1976, of Laleston Close in Barry – brutally kicked his pet dog during a domestic violence incident.

Police mugshot of violent dog abuser Michael Stokes from Barry, South Wales
Michael Stokes. Image: Gwent Police

Stokes, whom the court heard “posed a significant risk to women”, also attacked his partner and bit a police officer during the incident in Newport.

Prosecutor Byron Broadstock said the defendant’s partner had wanted him to leave the home they had shared in the city after moving in.

Matters came to a head there on October 19, 2021, when Stokes had been drinking.

Judge Richard Williams told the defendant: “She became afraid of you.

“The complainant says that you became, in her words, evil and very intoxicated.

“You told her that you hated your dog and that you were going to kick it to death.

“She tried to take the dog outside and in doing so you kicked the dog to the chest.

“You threatened to cut up her former partner.

“At one point you put your hands around her throat choking her to restrict her breathing.

“She was eventually able to call the police.”

When officers arrived, the court was told Stokes had challenged them to fight him before he bit one constable who was placing handcuffs on him.

The judge added: “You can be fairly described as a serial abuser of women.

“You pose a significant risk to women.”

Stokes pleaded guilty to affray, causing unnecessary suffering to an animal, assault by beating and criminal damage.

He has previous convictions for violence.

Sentencing | 20-month custodial. Five-year restraining order not to contact his human victim. Banned from keeping animals for just three years (expires May 2025).

South Wales Argus

Dogs, Worst of the Worst

Ely, Cardiff: Dean Dando and Ceri Parker

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CONVICTED (2022) | Dean Wayne Dando, born 21 February 1980, and Ceri Ann Parker, born 10 February 1982, both of 63 Highbury Road, Ely Cardiff CF5 4LR – failed to have their dog’s horrific facial injuries treated.

The court heard that the couple failed to get veterinary care for swelling to the bull-cross dog’s face after she was attacked and injured by another dog.

RSPCA deputy chief inspector Gemma Black told the court that Parker had told her they had not been able to afford to take the dog, Elsa, to the vets for any treatment. She also told the inspector that she had been bathing the wounds, but that they had been getting worse, and although Elsa was eating and drinking she was getting thinner.

DCI Black said: “I immediately saw a horrific injury on the eye and face on a bull-cross type dog that was lying on their sofa. The entire left side of Elsa’s face was swollen with wounds and pus surrounding it. Her left eye was not visible, instead there was fleshy inner eyelid exposed and swollen where the eyeball should be.

“The wound was one of the worst I had seen on an animal. Elsa was thin with her ribs and hip bones prominent and there was a strong smell of what I have previously known to be infection in the air. Elsa had bloody staining also on her legs.”

DCI Black told Parker she had serious concerns for the welfare of Elsa and that she wanted to take her to the vet immediately. The couple both agreed that they would sign her into the care of the RSPCA for treatment.

The court heard that a full veterinary examination was carried out and the vet confirmed that he believed that Elsa had been caused to suffer unnecessarily. Elsa weighed 11.6 kg, which the vet advised was a body score of two out of five.

“She had several masses all over her body, with one that had a wound and that was scabbing in the stomach area,” said inspector Black.

“The inside of her mouth was horrific, with rotten teeth and exposed roots.”

The independent vet advised she should be put to sleep on welfare grounds to prevent further suffering.

Sentencing |
Dando: 12 weeks’ imprisonment suspended for 12 months; 10 days of rehabilitation activity requirement (RAR); £250 costs.
Parker: 10 weeks’ imprisonment suspended for 12 months; 10 days’ RAR; £100 costs.
Both were disqualified from keeping any animals for just two years (expires May 2024).

Wales Online

Animal Abandonment, Dogs, Lifers

Llanberis, Gwynedd: Samuel Hill

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CONVICTED (2022) | Samuel Matthew Hill, born 2 October 1993, previously of Croes y Waun in Waunfawr, Caernarfon, Gwynedd LL55 4YP and now at The Dolbadarn Hotel, Llanberis, Gwynedd LL55 4SU – allowed his dogs to become skeletal and emaciated.

The court heard that Hill had brought his two dogs – Labrador crosses Alexa and Finley – to a veterinary surgery.

Both were emaciated. Alexa was “skeletally thin” and “near death”. She was still breathing but “unresponsive” and covered in urine and faeces. Vets agreed it was in the dog’s best interests that she be put to sleep.

The condition of Finley was “the worst of a living dog he had seen”, according to one vet. He was emaciated and had sores.

The prosecutor said Hill admitted he should not have allowed the animals’ condition to have got so bad. One dog was 56% underweight the other was 44% underweight. The vets contacted the RSPCA and the police.

The court heard Hill said he had experienced a relationship breakdown and poor mental health at the time. He said his ex-partner had originally been jointly responsible for the dogs, but after the breakup he was solely responsible.

He was accused of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal by not adequately investigating their weight loss and bodily conditions at Croes y Waun in Waunfawr, Gwynedd, between August 15 and September 7, 2021. He was also accused of causing unnecessary suffering by not providing a suitable diet of adequate nutritional value to the same dogs over the same period.

Finley was described in court as “alive and well”.

Andrew Scott, defending, said his client had had a mental breakdown and the treatment of the dogs had not been deliberate. The animals had however suffered from starvation and emaciation for a minimum of three weeks.

Bench chairman Elfed ap Gomer told Hill: “This is a very sad case.”

Sentencing | 12-month community order with 100 hours of unpaid work and 10-day rehabilitation activity; £1,095 costs and charges. Banned from keeping animals for an unlimited period but can appeal after just ONE year.

Daily Post