CONVICTED (2019) | Dalton David Callum Wills, born c. 1997, of Harrison Road, Swaythling, Southampton SO14 – left his dog to suffer for months with chronic skin problems
Dalton Wills pleaded guilty to an offence under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, following a prosecution by the RSPCA.
Wills left German Shepherd Chase to suffer with chronic skin problems with evidence of severe chronic self trauma and marked secondary skin infection.
Officers from the RSPCA were contacted with concerns about Chase in August 2018 and found the dog with hair loss over his rump and down his thighs.
A veterinary inspection later confirmed that Wills failure to ensure necessary treatment, care and attention for his dog’s skin disease caused suffering unnecessarily for between two and three months.
Chase was later put to sleep due to his suffering.
RSPCA Inspector Tina Ward said: “Chase was in an horrendous condition and had been left without the care he needed and deserved for a significant period of time.
“Pets are reliant on owners to ensure that their needs are met, and it’s never acceptable to ignore an animal when they are in pain and distress.
“Wills did take responsibility and was remorseful and said it was never his intention to do nothing but he did.
“Chase was sadly put to sleep because he was suffering. He was given intensive treatment by vet which didn’t bring his pain and discomfort under control.”
Sentencing:
12-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months; 220 hours of unpaid work. Total of £215 cost and charges. Five year disqualification from keeping any animal.
Update December 2020
Willis has been jailed following multiple domestic violence attacks.
He punched and kicked his female victim while she was on the ground, according to court documents.
The attacks on April 18 and April 25, 2020, in Outer Circle, Southampton caused “substantial bruising” to the woman.
Wills, now of Chettle Road, Southampton, pleaded guilty to three counts of assault by beating.
By committing the offences he breached the suspended sentence he received for his cruelty to Chase. .
He was jailed for nine weeks.
The offence was considered “serious because of the domestic context”.
Wills was made the subject of a restraining order and must not contact his victim for two years.
He must also pay a £128 victim surcharge.