CONVICTED (2021) | Robbie Duce, born 24 December 1993, of 23 Grantham Green, Middlesbrough TS4 3QS – locked his two dogs in a cage to starve
Cruel Robbie Duce pleaded guilty to three animal welfare charges when he appeared before Teesside Magistrates Court.
The RSPCA investigated after receiving a report from a concerned member of the public about two neglected boxer dogs at a property.
Inspector Clare Wilson attended the address on January 7, 2021, and found the emaciated dogs, Duke and his son, Rocky.
Inspector Wilson said: “Duke was extremely emaciated and I could easily see all his bones protruding – his spine, skull, hip bones, shoulder blades and ribs were spiky to touch. He also had deep sores down to the bone on his hip bones. His eyes looked red and had discharge staining below them.
“I was taken through to the kitchen where I saw Rocky, a white and brindle entire male Boxer dog of one-and-a-half years of age in a large metal crate in the kitchen.
“There was nothing on the base of the crate apart from the metal bars and it was empty apart from an empty food bowl and a water bowl containing a small amount of water. Rocky was also emaciated although not as thin as Duke. I could see his spine, ribs and pelvic bones clearly protruding.
“There were no comfortable resting areas for either of the dogs. There would also have been no opportunity for the dogs to toilet and their coats were soiled.”
She rushed the dogs to a local vets in Darlington and the vet confirmed they were in a suffering state. Duke had a deep sore which needed stitching and both needed to gain weight.
The dogs were signed over by Duce into RSPCA care and were rehabilitated by RSPCA Felledge Animal Centre.
An independent vet said in a statement: “In my opinion these dogs were caused unnecessary suffering for no less than six weeks.
“Duke had very deep, painful and infected ulcers or pressure sores. These were formed over the prominent bony prominences and were due to the emaciation and poor living conditions with the dog lying on the floor of a metal cage.
“In my opinion, these ulcers could have been prevented by keeping the dog in good bodily condition and by providing the dogs with comfortable beds to sleep on.
“It was reported that the dog was left in the metal indoor kennel for at least 12 hours a day whilst the dogs’ owner was at work. There was no plastic kennel liner in the cage, and there was no bedding. This would not have provided adequate space for the dogs to move around and there were no comfortable resting areas. There would have been no opportunity for the dogs to toilet and their coats were soiled.”
Both Duke and Rocky were rehabilitated by the RSPCA and went on to find new homes
Following the court hearing Clare added: “Both dogs are transformed – I saw Rocky the other day and he recognised me. He looks amazing and so happy! I am so pleased for them both that they have recovered so well and have found loving new homes and they still see each other and enjoy playing together as the video shows.”
Sentencing: 12 month community order with 200 hours of unpaid work; £495 costs and charges. Six-year ban on keeping animals (expires June 2027).
People such as this shouldn’t have Dogs.
Some people just haven’t got a clue.
Social Services ned to keep a close eye on these little Children.
He’s a bloody good dad to them kids and this is only half a story he left the dogs with he’s ex for 9 weeks and when he got them back they had already lost weight. ALSO IT WAS ROBBIE WHO RANG THE RSPCA IN THE FIRST PLACE because he couldn’t get them back to normal. Yes he should have acted quicker but this isn’t all on him half of the people commenting don’t even know the lad half a STORY!!!
Bullshit… when his ex had them there was no marks on those dogs whatsoever she fed and watered them . Yes cages were in kitchen but had blankets and duvet cover. Ex left property September October . Report says this was from November to January 2021 get your facts right. It was his own mother who reported him and next door neighbour.
Ere right, lived on same road as me been in their house loads of times even when they split up seen dogs in garden kitchen front garden never had a sore or anything on them and wtf as it gorra do with social services and kids, it’s about the dogs what he done when his ex moved out he shud be thanking his ex for looking after them in first place he gets what he deserves an lucky he never got sentesed today or he be in prison shud be Robbie dunce not Duce
English is just a vague concept to a shit for brains like you, huh?