CONVICTED (2019) | Scott Andrew Buik, born 30 September 1991, of Mellor Street, Rochdale OL11 – starved two dogs and a cat to death.
Buik was found guilty of four animal welfare offences.
An RSPCA investigation began after Buik took an emaciated white and brindle Staffordshire bull terrier, known as Buster, to a vet on November 12th, 2018.
Buik told the vet that Buster had become unwell that morning, but on examination it was clear the dog had been starved. He weighed just 11kg, which is around half of what a healthy dog of Buster’s breed should weigh.
The vet examined the dog and saw that he was gravely ill. He was unable to lift his head and was emaciated, with all his bones protruding.
The vet put the stricken dog to sleep to end his suffering.
Concerned that Buster’s condition was caused by neglect, the vet contacted the RSPCA and inspectors Natalie Taylor and Nina Small visited Buik’s house that afternoon.
Buik invited Inspector Taylor inside and showed her a cage where Buster had been kept in the kitchen.
Next to this was another cage covered in a pink blanket and when she touched the blanket it was so full of fleas, it was moving.
When Inspector Taylor removed the blanket she was horrified to discover the emaciated body of a Labrador-cross dog called Scarlett.
This dog was severely underweight and her rib cage, spine, shoulders, and hip bones were prominent. It is believed she died the previous day.
Next, Buik led Inspector Taylor to the cellar of his house where she found the body of tortoiseshell female cat named Tilly. She had been dead for some time as mould was growing on her face.
Buik had claimed he had been looking after Scarlet and Tilly for friends, but while in his care the animals were left to starve.
Inspector Nina Small said in her 16-year career with the RSPCA this has been one of the most horrific cases she has come across.
She said, “It was awful to see the condition of these animals they must have suffered a long and lingering death because they were denied food.
“They were clearly kept in atrocious conditions where they were locked away and really just left to rot.
“The post mortem reports revealed pieces of plastic and metal in the dogs’ bodies so they had been so hungry they were trying to eat anything they could.
“Withholding food when it was available and leaving these animals to suffer until they died is the most callous thing imaginable.”
Sentencing: 26 week custodial sentence suspended for 12 months; community order with a rehabilitation activity requirement for 20 days and 150 hours of unpaid work. Ordered to pay £1,280 costs and a victim surcharge of £115. Banned from keeping animals for life.