CONVICTED (2023) | Martin John Butlin, born c. 1963, of Fleury Road, Gleadless, Sheffield S14 1QW – starved and severely neglected two emaciated greyhounds kept on an allotment.
Butlin admitted two animal welfare offences in relation to former racing greyhounds Mick and Fury., whom he kept on an allotment in Wadsley Bridge, Sheffield. He was prosecuted by the RSPCA after a veterinary practice in South Yorkshire contacted the charity over concerns for the dogs’ welfare. The dogs had been brought into them in an emaciated condition.
One of the greyhounds, called Mick, had already died and had been taken to the practice in a builder’s bag in the boot of Butlin’s car.
The court heard how two-year-old Fury had been taken to the veterinary practice on May 13, 2023, for elective euthanasia after Butlin had reported weight loss and diarrhoea over a period of a few weeks. The dog weighed 23.6 kg (52 pounds) and was given a body score condition of just 1/9.
Based on the clinical examination and Fury’s age, trial treatment and/or further diagnostics was advised by the vet before euthanasia, the court was told, but Butlin was adamant that neither would be considered.
However, he did agree to sign the dog over into the care of the vets.
Ravenous when offered food, Fury began to gain weight over the following weeks and weighed 29.6kg (65.25 pounds) just over three weeks later. He has since been adopted by a veterinary nurse from the practice and renamed Alfie.
The deceased dog Mick was extremely emaciated and had sunken eyes, visible pressure sores and callouses, some of which had appeared to expose the underlying bone.
Butlin had spoken to the vets two days earlier and said Mick had stopped eating over the last few weeks, lost weight, and gone ‘off his feet’. When advised to bring the dog in straight away he had refused and instead booked an appointment for June 1, 2023.
In her evidence to the court, the vet said: “When Fury was initially admitted it was uncertain whether there was a medical cause for his weight loss. Blood tests and faecal samples tested over the next few days were unremarkable. After admission he did not have diarrhoea, and he was ravenous when offered food. Over the next few weeks, he started to gain weight.
“In my professional opinion there was no justification for the animal to be euthanised, and there was no medical problem with Fury other than issues relating to starvation and neglect. We expect the sores on his legs were caused from extended periods laying on a hard surface, and that he had been suffering for a period of several months.
“Subsequently a further greyhound called Mick was presented by Mr Butlin for examination by a colleague on June 1. This dog was dead on arrival and showed signs of neglect and starvation. His body condition score was 1/9 and he had open sores on his legs similar to Fury.
“In my professional opinion Mr Butlin presented one animal for euthanasia for no other reason than mistreatment, followed by a second animal for disposal which also showed clear signs of neglect.”
In mitigation, magistrates were told that Butlin had caring responsibilities. He was said to be ashamed and deeply upset about the suffering he had caused. He was described as a caring man who had had dogs all his life, but he accepted the level of attention and care he had provided to Fury and Mick had broken down.
Other dogs being kept by Butlin were rehomed or signed over into RSPCA care during the course of the investigation. Because of the disqualification order, any that still remain in his care will also have to be rehomed.
RSPCA inspector Ben Cottle-Shaw, who investigated said: “There is never an excuse to allow pets to suffer such wilful neglect and suffering.
This was such a sad case but I do take some comfort in the fact that Fur is now a thriving and healthy much-loved dog enjoying the life he deserves with his new owner.”
Sentencing | 12-month community order with 150 hours of unpaid work; costs of £400 and a victim surcharge of £114. Banned indefinitely from keeping dogs.