CONVICTED (2017) | Kenneth Kieron Wade, born 22/08/1995, of Coalbank Road, Hetton-le-Hole, Houghton-le-Spring DH5 0EG – for cruelty involving four so-called ‘working’ dogs
Kenneth Kieron Wade, who goes by the name Kieron Wade, admitted causing suffering and failing to meet the needs of two terrier-type dogs and two lurcher-type dogs.
The dogs were discovered when a warrant was executed at Wade’s home on Coalbank Road in April 2017.
One of the dogs – terrier ‘Musto’ – had severe injuries to his face and jaw consistent with having been used for hunting and the dogs were all living in ‘disgusting’ conditions.
RSPCA chief inspector Mark Gent said: “These dogs were living in absolute filth. Three of them were confined to a pen which was covered in diarrhoea, some of which had gone mouldy, and was swimming in urine. It smelled horrendous.
“One of these was Musto whose injuries were terrible. Most of his lower jaw was missing and he was struggling to eat as a result. He has had to have an operation but happily has since put on weight and is showing no signs of pain.
“The fourth dog had a kennel in the yard where there was evidence he was tethered some of the time. Again, there was faeces everywhere and the dog had recently been sick. It was disgusting.”
The two terrier-type dogs were signed over to the RSPCA and have been happily rehomed. The two lurcher type dogs will now pass into RSPCA care and efforts will be made to find new homes.
Sentencing: 12 weeks in jail, suspended for 12 months. 15 days of rehabilitation activity. 150 hours of unpaid work; total costs and charges of £415. Disqualified from keeping animals for 10 years.