CONVICTED (2014) | David Lee Stroud, born 7 November 1984, and wife Beverley Bourner-Stroud, born 24 July 1984, of Ruby Street, Darlington DL3 0EN – starved four dogs and kept them in cold and filthy conditions
David and Beverley Stroud, who were previously of Stockton-on-Tees but have links to East Sussex, were banned for life from keeping animals and given a suspended prison sentence after mistreating their dogs.
The pair pleaded guilty to five charges of mistreating Jess, a female rottweiler, Treacle, a female German Shepherd, Bella, a female Staffordshire bull terrier and Betsy, a female crossbreed.
They had failed to provide a nutritionally balanced diet suitable for the dogs’ needs between November 2013 and January 2014.
They were also guilty of failing to seek appropriate veterinary care to address the causes of the dogs’ poor physical condition.
The RSPCA said that all four dogs were emaciated and kept in a cold, filthy, hazardous and cramped environment and had no food or water.
Claire Wilson, RSPCA inspector for Stockton and Middlesbrough, said after the case: “It was a very unusual case, as you do not often see four dogs in the same house.
“The Rottweiller and the German Shepherd were probably the thinnest dogs I’ve ever seen. The house was, in my opinion, uninhabitable.
“The thing we always ask for in these cases, is that a hefty ban from keeping animals is given to those who mistreat them.
“So in this case, it is the best possible result we could ask for.”
All of the dogs have since made a full recovery in RSPCA care, and are ready for rehoming.
Inspector Wilson continued: “They are back to normal now and in good health, which is always the most positive outcome.”
Sentencing | 12-week custodial sentence, suspended for 12 months with a supervision order. Ordered to pay £500 each in costs. Banned from keeping all animals for life with the right of appeal in 10 years (June 2024)