CONVICTED (2024) | Darren Hughes, born c. 1975, of Millfield, Six Acres Estate, Pooles Park, London N4 3PB – left his pet shih tzu to be eaten alive by fleas.
Hughes was convicted of animal cruelty in relation to the dog, Chewie after leaving him abandoned and suffering for several months at his home.
A member of the public found the dog collapsed and took him to the vet, where he was diagnosed with a heavy flea burden and iron deficiency.
The vet was forced to put Chewie to sleep to end his suffering.
In evidence, the vet wrote: “Chewie was suffering for an extended length of time, as the initial mean corpuscular volume (MCV) was very low, and with chronic anaemia and ongoing blood loss, one or more months are required before the MCV and MCHC decrease below reference intervals.
“This patient’s mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) wasn’t even registered by our laboratory, which is likely to mean red blood cells do not have enough haemoglobin. It also shows thrombocytosis (increased platelets), which is often present in animals with iron deficiency anaemia.
“The biochemistry blood test results show that he had low creatine, which was likely related to muscle loss, and increased urea, which is likely related to dehydration. He was diagnosed with severe anaemia due to his infestation with fleas.”
A cat was also removed from Hughes and will now be rehomed.
In mitigation, he said an alcohol addiction resulted in failing to provide Chewie with veterinary treatment.
After sentencing, Inspector Shahnaz Ahmad said: “This was a distressing case, poor Chewie had been left on his own for large periods of time while he was riddled with fleas, they were literally eating him alive.
“It’s thanks to a member of the public alerting us to the condition of this dog that he was punished for his actions. Sadly it was too late to save Chewie, but it does mean this individual will never be able to neglect pets in this way again.”
Sentencing | 18-week custodial, suspended for 18 months; victim surcharge of £154. Banned indefinitely from keeping all animals.
Should be prison that poor furbaby I think it’s as bad as child abuse and these people get of lightly I rescued a rottweiler that was left in a garden starved and beaten his front legs had been tied and he had been stabbed and his back legs broken at some point he was skin and bone when he came now he trusts people again and put plenty of weight on so that’s why I think it’s as bad as child abuse and they should face the same consequences
Bleating rat. Horrible man.