CONVICTED (2023) | Daniel Hewitt, born 20 July 1998, of 32 Westfield Court, Redcar TS10 5QZ – left a dog to starve in a faeces-strewn cage.
Hewitt, who also uses his dogs to kill wildlife, was prosecuted in relation to a severely malnourished lurcher, described by an RSPCA inspector as a ‘walking skeleton’.
The dog, known as Flossy, weighed just 11.6kg – less than half her expected body weight – after she was inadequately fed for at least six weeks.
She had overgrown nails, a wound to her leg, sores on her hips, and was given a body score condition of only one out of five by a vet.
Hewitt admitted causing unnecessary suffering to Flossy by failing to address the cause of her poor body condition and weight loss.
The court heard how Hewitt kept Flossy at a flat in Cedarhurst Drive, Lingdale, Saltburn-by-the-Sea but moved out to live with his mother, Karen Bennison, who stayed in the same road. Flossy was left behind to starve in squalor but was rescued from certain death by a concerned member of the public.
The court heard that Hewitt continued to return to the flat and had been fully aware of Flossy’s deteriorating condition.
RSPCA inspector Garry Palmer, who investigated the case, took Flossy for immediate veterinary treatment after visiting the home she had been taken to.
The court heard that numerous attempts were then made to interview Hewitt about the situation but they were unsuccessful.
The veterinary surgeon who examined the lurcher, said: “At the time of examination, Flossy was suffering from malnutrition and I believe this would have been apparent to any reasonably competent adult.
“She weighed 11.6kg (25.57 pounds), whereas I would expect an otherwise healthy female, young adult lurcher to weigh approximately 25/30kg (55.1 – 66.1 pounds).
“Flossy gained significant body weight simply through receiving adequate nutrition once removed from the household. It is my opinion that the weight loss was a chronic process lasting no less than six weeks though likely longer. I believe this dog was caused unnecessary suffering by the person responsible for her.”
The pre-sentence report noted that Hewitt spent £10 a day on cannabis, but said he couldn’t afford to feed himself or Flossy.
Magistrates said they considered the offence had crossed the threshold for custody but recognised that the defendant had already spent 35 days in prison during the case for another matter. Instead, a community order was imposed.
Speaking after the conclusion of the case, inspector Palmer said: “If Flossy had not been removed from the flat when she had, I think she would have been dead within days as she was nothing more than a walking skeleton with her hips, ribs and spine clearly visible.
“She was in a shocking state of neglect but soon put on weight once she received proper nutrition and the right care. I’m delighted that she has gone on to make a full recovery with the person who took her on, as these later images of her show. We’d also like to thank the police for helping us to ensure this case was able to reach a conclusion.”
Sentencing | 15-month community order with 22 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 100 hours of unpaid work; £600 costs and £90 victim surcharge. Disqualified from keeping any animals for 10 years.
That vile monster should be hung !!!!
I wish they would kill these scumbags, but they don’t, also the piece of shit is only getting a ban for 10yrs from having any animals, there isn’t much of a deterant to stop vile humans from hurting animals, I would definitely kill these humans.
How great it is to read your comments,and know that I’m not the only one who thinks human vermin(I call them HV)should be killed. I would cheerfully execute every disgusting HV in the world. I’m fed up with namby pambies,who think we’re above such things. I’m not.
And I’d love to help you to inflict the ultimate punishment!!!!!
This is when the same treatment should be the penalty…
I 100% agree!!!! The punishment fits the crime but we need even more punishment because this baby was innocent and confined to a cage. Thank God someone found him 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Not fit to be called a human and should have been banned for life for the suffering he did to that poor dog.
Couldn’t agree more. This saddens me that the law doesn’t take this seriously. Dogs love unconditionally and Flossy likely would have even forgiven him had he came back for her and feed and helped her. We don’t deserve dogs but Daniel Hewitt doesn’t deserve anything.
This man doesn’t need another pet he’s a piece of shit. He needs to be in a jail cell and starve him so he’ll know what it’s like to be starved . I hope the other inmates beat the shit out of him . There is probably animal lover’s in jail . God will get him .
Filthy little pot head. Imagine having it for a son.Probably as bad as each other.
Sickening. Shame there wasn’t a couple of 0s added onto the end number of the fine. Hope he was also banned.for keeping animals for life
Only ten year ban from keeping animals im afraid 🤬
Animal ban for life would be more appropriate he’ll be 35 when he can start again why risk potentially putting another animal through that? And I doubt he’ll change. He should also have been put away for a few years, the financial penalty will be paid by the state no doubt and won’t put him off. He needs a solid punishment to acknowledge the severity of what he’s done😡
I agree – this man needs a stiffer sentence and also monitoring.
The monster just got a slap on the hand. I would have issued life time jail sentence.
Waste of space ! Fit for NOTHING
So glad he’s been named and shamed!
Karma will ‘OUT ‘ with a bit of luck !!
Evil scum 🤬
God stepped in where no one else could be & sent someone to rescue this poor dog.
That’s my prayer for the Flossie’s of this world.
*Lord be where no one else can be & and intervene because you care for people & animals alike. Psalm 36:6💔*
this is appalling. No custody because he had already been in custody for 35 days for some other unrelated matter. That shouldn’t even be relevant. This judge was looking for an excuse to let him go home. Why? Did he know him? Are they related. Until this kind of BS stops happening creeps like this one will Continue.
Complete and total scumbag that should be in prison for the rest of his MISERABLE life. A cretin who should be shunned by all living beings.
What a horrible human being a complete waste of space I would like to starve him.
This is not enough!! He could’ve just set the poor puppy free. He’s a sicko who is very dangerous as he clearly has no conscience. I don’t feel safe breathing the same air as this creep. He deserves prison time and a way WAY larger fine. The animal ban should be for LIFE without question.