CONVICTED (2022) | breeder Jay Clarke, born 29 January 1955, of 10 Black Dog Walk, Northgate, Crawley RH10 8HL – for cruelty to 14 poorly dogs kept in squalor.
Jay Clarke, described in court as an experienced breeder who had shown dogs, was banned from keeping animals for life after being convicted of a string of cruelty charges relating to 14 dogs. Her conviction followed that of her co-accused, husband Gordon Clarke, in January 2022.
RSPCA officers visited the Clarkes’ home in Black Dog Walk on April 6, 2021 after concerns were raised about the welfare of a large number of animals living at the home.
Sussex Police obtained a warrant and officers returned on April 8 with an independent vet. A total of 16 dogs and two cats were seized and were later signed over for rehoming by the RSPCA.
RSPCA inspector Tony Woodley, who led the investigation, said in his witness statement: “The interior of the house was dimly lit. The ‘living room’ area with a sofa and very large TV was accessible by the cats, Rottweilers and chihuahuas. There were food and water bowls in this area.
“To the rear of this was an area of approximately 4m x 2.5m which contained the spaniels. This area had a strong smell and the walls and floor were stained with either faeces or dirt or a mixture of the two.
“There was a human bed in this area with a mattress. The mattress was stained brown and there were blankets on it which were also brown and covered in faeces or mud.
“The floor had concrete missing in places and two dogs were cowering in the area where a draw was missing from a wooden chest of drawers.
“There were no water or food bowls in this area. In this area I saw packs of dog food but this was not accessible to the dogs.
“I was alarmed by the condition of many of these animals and there seemed to be a general lack of care for these animals. The spaniels looked like they had been roughly de-matted with a sharp implement and some of these dogs had open wounds.”
The vet checked all of the animals and found many of them had untreated dental disease, ear infections, eye conditions and skin problems, while some were lame and one had infected wounds.
Two of the spaniels were considered by the vet to be in a ‘severe condition’ including a female brown spaniel, called Betty who was rushed to vets for emergency treatment.
Inspector Woodley added: “[She] was in such a poor condition that two police officers agreed to take [her] in an emergency fashion direct to the vets for immediate emergency treatment.”
Tragically, little Betty was so unwell that she was put to sleep to end her suffering.
Sentencing | 26 weeks in prison – suspended for 12 months; ten rehabilitation activity requirement sessions; £1,000 in costs plus victim surcharge of £128. Disqualified from keeping all animals for life.
