CONVICTED (2024) | Joshua Sanderson, born 20 December 2003, of 35 Fairfield, Evenwood, Bishop Auckland DL14 9SE – left three lurchers to starve in his abandoned flat.
Sanderson’s dogs were discovered living in a flat strewn with faces and rubbish after he abandoned them. One dog, Molly, had eaten a bin liner in her desperation for food.
An RSPCA inspector gained entry to Sanderson’s flat the help of police and the letting agents on April 6, 2023. In a statement read to the court the inspector described being met with an overpowering smell of ammonia inside the property.
They continued: “There was faeces present at the rear of the door and on the stairs. On entering the main area of the flat there were no dogs present or loose and it was littered with faeces and rubbish scattered about, there was also faeces on the settee in the main room.
“I then opened a door to a small bedroom and found three lurcher-type dogs in a small area which was again littered with faeces and like the rest of the flat the smell of urine and excrement was overpowering.
“None of the dogs had any access to food or water and the bowls that were present were overturned and all were dry.”
All three dogs were rescued and examined by a vet who hospitalised them overnight.
A tan and white male lurcher was found to have wounds and cuts, while a black and tan female lurcher had inflamed eye membranes.
The third dog, Molly, the only one of the three that was microchipped, was emaciated and weighed just 9.45kg. She was given a body condition score of just one out of nine.
Although her microchip said she was a year old, the vet said significant tartar on her teeth indicated her age was inaccurate. She had a number of scars but no fresh wounds.
Magistrates heard the dogs were ravenous when fed and Molly passed faeces containing a black bin liner.
In his evidence, the vet said: “Molly was suffering at the time of examination as a result of malnutrition due to lack of feeding.
“The bloods indicated that this dog had normal organ function and no significant clinical condition that would be responsible for the weight loss.
“She gained nearly 30% in weight following adequate feeding in five weeks. In my opinion she had been caused unnecessary suffering on the grounds of inadequate nutrition for no less than six weeks.”
Following enquiries, Sanderson was traced to a property in the village of Evenwood.
He was interviewed by the RSPCA in June 2023 and confirmed that he had been the occupant of the flat but had moved out.
He also said he owned two of the dogs and had taken Molly on from someone who wasn’t looking after her properly. He conceded that conditions at the flat were poor and unsuitable for the dogs.
The dogs were cared for at the RSPCA’s Great Ayton Animal Centre.
Sadly, the black and tan female lurcher was put to sleep on professional advice for welfare and behavioural reasons.
Molly and the male lurcher, who was named Tolly by staff, were adopted and are enjoying life in their new homes.
Sanderson admitted two charges contrary to the Animal Welfare act 2006 but walked free from court with “rehabilitation” and five year ban.
Speaking after the sentencing hearing, RSPCA Chief Inspector for Durham Mark Gent said: “All three dogs had been badly let down by their owner, left behind in a dirty and hazardous environment without food or water, to the extent where one of them had resorted to eating a bin liner.
“It was a sad case and it illustrates how important it is to ensure the needs of animals you’re responsible for are always met and to see help and advice if your circumstances change and you are no longer able to provide for them.”
Sentencing | six-month community order with five rehabilitation activity requirement days. Banned from keeping animals for five years (expires April 2029).
