CONVICTED (2023) | Tameesha Ewing, born 29 November 1998, of 19 Bushmoor Walk, Ardwick, Manchester M13 9GS – abandoned two bulldogs and a tortoise in a filthy house strewn with rubbish
The RSPCA was called to Ewing’s home on August 4, 2022, after concerns were raised about the welfare of the dogs – a grey brindle female bulldog, and a dark brindle male bulldog, known as Rolex and Romeo.
In a witness statement RSPCA inspector Deborah Beats described the conditions in which the bulldogs were being kept.
She said: “There were faeces all over the floors of every room that was available to the dogs and the rooms were full of hazards such as bottles of bleach, rubbish, broken furniture and doors, and sharp objects scattered around the flat.
“There was no clean resting area for the dogs as the sofas were covered in faeces and there were no dog beds available. No food was available, there were empty bowls scattered around the flat and evidence of torn up bags of dry dog food.
“They were unable to exhibit their normal behaviour as they were prevented from accessing the garden for four days, and were also prevented from exercising and had no mental stimulation.”
During the inspection Ms Beats also discovered a tortoise, known as Ninja, being kept in a ‘filthy malodorous tank’.
The inspector added: “The environment for the tortoise was also unsuitable as he was in a filthy tank with a lid that smelt mouldy and stale when lifted. There was a screwdriver inside which was a hazard and there was no heat lamp.
“The water was thick and murky and he had nothing edible or anything of any nutritional value inside at all and no evidence of any remnants. There was no deep bedding material for him to sleep and no clean water allowing him to bathe.”
The animals were signed over to the care of the RSPCA, and have since been found new homes.
Ewing pleaded guilty to two offences under the Animal Welfare Act at Manchester magistrates’ court.
Sentencing her District Judge Thomas Mitchell said: “The defendant’s personal difficulties do not excuse abandoning animals who would certainly have died if RSPCA had not intervened.”
Sentencing | 12 month community order, six-month alcohol treatment order; fined £386 with £114 costs. THREE-year ban applicable to all animals (expires August 2026).