CONVICTED (2024) | Bryan Owens and previous offender Katrina Bernadette Elstob of 48 Fox Avenue, South Shields NE34 9RN – failed to address their pets’ health conditions and weight loss.
Elstob, who was previously banned from owning animals, and partner Bryan Owens admitted cruelty to an elderly Jack Russell called Jack and a cat named Jess. Jack was in poor bodily condition, suffering skin inflammation and dental disease and was infested with fleas, while Jess had an untreated skin condition.
RSPCA Inspector Trevor Walker visited the couple in September 2023 and was immediately concerned about the poor condition of Jack and Jess.
In his witness statement he said: “I observed an aged and very lean, Jack Russell Terrier type dog, that would have been described as tri-coloured at one stage, but now appeared more yellow possibly due to a heavy flea burden and his age.
“The cat, a medium long haired brown cat appeared in better condition, but once I had picked him up I could feel the very scabby skin under his medium long haired coat.”
RSPCA Inspector Walker transported Jack and Jess to a vet for further examination.
Inspector Walker continued in his witness statement: “Arriving at the door to the vet’s surgery, I noticed [Jack] was lapping the rain water that had collected on the top of the drainage cover, indicating that he was dehydrated.
“This condition was confirmed inside the consultation room when he drank from a bowl of fresh water for an entire minute, before it was removed.”
The vet said in their witness statement about Jack the dog: “There were four main concerns which included a very poor body condition score, which would have likely been present for at least a few months, a heavy flea infestation, secondary skin inflammation and severe dental disease.
“Based on the examination and the further test results; Jack had experienced unnecessary and avoidable suffering.”
Following the case, Jack and Jess were officially signed over to the care of RSPCA, where staff will now look to find them both loving new homes.
Sentencing |
Elstob – ordered to pay a fine of £164, a £66 victim surcharge and £250 in costs.
Owens -ordered to pay a fine of £80, a £32 victim surcharge and £250 in costs.
Both were given a seven year ban on owning all animals, with no appeal for five years (expires April 2031).