CONVICTED (2023) | Dean Callum Parkes, born July 1995, of Orwell Close, Malmesbury SN16 9UB – for cruelty to a critically injured dachshund owned by girlfriend Fae Brittany Prangle, born c. 1995, of Easton Square, Sherston SN16 0LX.
Four-year-old miniature dachshund Mable suffered chest injuries consistent with blunt force trauma while in the care of Dean Parkes. Her owner Fae Prangle, who had recently started a relationship with Parkes, took Mable to a vet who found signs of a high heart rate and abdominal pain. The vet told Prangle that Mable could go home but advised her to monitor her.
After Mable’s condition deteriorated, Prangle returned to the vet practice and a more thorough veterinary examination found that she had suffered fractures to three ribs and numerous pelvic fractures.
The vet likened Mable’s injuries to those resulting from a road traffic accident.
Prangle could provide no explanation for Mable’s injuries and the RSPCA was alerted.
The RSPCA attended Prangle’s home in Sherston, near Malmesbury, on 6 January 2022 and seized Mable, an 18-month-old miniature dachshund puppy called Matilda and Duke, a red Labrador belonging to Parkes.
Matilda was examined by vets and found to have sustained numerous pelvic fractures, similar to those suffered by Mable.
It transpired that Prangle had sought treatment for Matilda on 3 December, eight days after she said the dog had jumped off an embankment during a walk and started limping. But she claimed Matilda’sr limp and lameness were intermittent and said the pet didn’t show any signs of pain or serious injury.
Finding no evidence of serious injury, the vet released Matlida back to Prangle with seven days’ worth of anti-inflammatory medication.
Both Parkes and Prangle faced charges of causing unnecessary suffering to Mable and Matilda by failing to seek prompt vet care and failing to protect them from pain, suffering and injury.
Parkes and Prangle gave similar accounts of the circumstances surrounding Mable’s injuries and the timeline of events, but these were contradicted by Prangle’s sister, Heather Prangle.
After hearing expert evidence District Judge Joanna Dickens found Parkes not guilty of inflicting the injuries on Mable, stating: “He clearly had the opportunity to do it. I didn’t find his explanation very convincing.
“Whilst he could have done it, and certainly on the balance of probabilities did do it, I am not sure, and therefore I find you not guilty.”
However, he was found guilty of failing to protect Mable from pain, suffering and injury.
She added: “Mr Parkes was responsible for that animal when that injury happened. Something happened to Mable, I don’t know what happened, but I’m sure Mr Parkes knows.
“Whether he did it or someone else did it, either way, he didn’t take reasonable steps to prevent this happening.”
Prangle was found not guilty on both charges. Judge Dickens said that she “obviously loves the dogs” and took them to the vet when she had concerns about them.
Parkes, co-director of Empire Construction & Carpentry Limited, has a police caution for harassing an ex-girlfriend.
He will be sentenced in June 2023 and faces a ban from owning animals.
Mable and Matilda were released from Bath Cats and Dogs Home back to Prangle – who remains in a relationship with Parkes and now lives with him.
Could you ever trust him ? Nope.