CONVICTED (2021) | Sharon Belinda Hartley (aka Sharon Sheridan), born 5 November 1979, of Newchurch Road, Bacup, Rossendale OL13 – abandoned her husky, leaving her to fester in a room full of flies and faeces
Sharon Hartley, who has previous convictions for violent assault, pleaded guilty to two animal welfare offences in relation to a husky named Luna when she appeared in court.
Hartley faced no charges over another dog – a Staffy named Caesar – found dead at the abandoned property.
Comments from several Facebook users, including Hartley’s own brother and son, indicated the RSPCA had discovered Caesar’s remains when they rescued Luna. Hartley had apparently told people that the dog had died weeks earlier after being run over.
In reality he appears to have been left to starve to death alongside husky Luna who miraculously survived.
The court heard how the RSPCA were called to Hartley’s former address in Thorn Bank, Bacup, on July 21, 2020, after her landlord had been to the property and said he had seen a dog shut in the kitchen which was very skinny.
He said he believed the pet had been abandoned as he had not been able to get in touch with the tenant.
Animal rescuer, inspector Rebecca Goulding was sent to the scene and could see faeces and rubbish throughout the kitchen and scratch marks from a dog on the back of the kitchen door where she had tried to escape but couldn’t see the pet.
She then spoke to neighbours who said they knew the occupant had a husky called Luna but they hadn’t seen the dog or owner for a number of weeks.
Police were called along with the landlord so they could access the property.
Ms Goulding said: “In the kitchen we found a husky type dog in very lean body condition.
“The dog struggled to get to its feet, but once it was up was able to walk.
“There was a large amount of faeces throughout the kitchen, and various bits of household rubbish that the dog had been eating, including tin cans that she had chewed through.
“There was no water available for the dog, and no food down.
“There was a strong smell of urine and a large number of flies in the room.”
Luna was rushed to Greater Manchester Animal Hospital and a veterinary examination stated she weighed 10.7 kg when an average weight for the breed of dog would normally be about double.
All her ribs, spine and hip bones were clearly protruding and the vet concluded that she had been left without food and in a suffering state for days.
Thankfully within a month of care at the hospital, Luna gained 6.4kg in weight. She was then transferred to the Halifax, Huddersfield and Bradford branch of the RSPCA and went on to find a loving home where she is now thriving.
Ms Goulding added: “Luna was in such a sorry state when she was found and you could see her hips and spine protruding and her face was gaunt.
“But she was such a sweet natured dog who adored human contact and was so friendly towards us.
“I am delighted she has been rehabilitated from her ordeal by dedicated staff at the Halifax, Huddersfield and Bradford branch of the RSPCA and she is in a loving home.
“The new owner has sent me photos of Luna as she is now and the transformation is amazing.”
Sentencing | ordered to pay a £733 fine and £600 victim surcharge. Banned from owning animals for 10 years (expires 2031)
Updates August 2022
We are advised that Sharon Hartley is now living with a man in Brockhurst Way, Thryberg, Rotherham S65 4BZ.
Her latest partner works as a lecturer at Rotherham College. The man, who has a dog himself, is aware of her convictions for animal cruelty and violence.
She has links to Worksop and also lived in Portugal for a while.
Another Mentally Disturbed Scum.
How the Hell can you leave any living Animal to Starve To Death.
Yet she was only Prosecuted for the one Dog that Survived.
With a Pathetic Sentence dished out.
Obviously she had looked after them prior to this incident.
We are seeing more and more cases like this.
We all know how bad things can get in life sometimes, and our circumstances change, it has happened to myself personally many years back. We lose our Job, we lose our Home.
Surely if you are that Desperate, and cannot keep them any longer, or cannot take them with you. Tie them to a Gate Of A Rescue or RSPCA. or Push them through the Door of a Vets and do a runner. Or Phone the RSPCA and Tell Them you are Homeless, and give them the Address and the Landlords Phone Number where you have just left them Straight Away, you could also Email them and Send A Letter 1st Class Recorded Delivery, explaining what you have been forced to do, at least then they would know by the Following Day.
Leave them several Bowls Of Water down, to tide them over until they arrive.
I am merely pointing out, there are other options if you get desperate.
Surely Anything must be better, than leaving them to Starve To Death.