Tag Archives: failure to groom

Animal Abandonment, Animal Sanctuaries from Hell, Dogs, Hoarders, Worst of the Worst

Highbridge, Somerset: Judy Doolan

March 2, 2024 misanthropic 3 Comments

CONVICTED (2024) | dog collector Judy Patricia Doolan, born 10 May 1959, of 12 East Ride, Brent Knoll, HighbridgeTA9 4EA – kept 16 badly neglected Romanian rescue dogs in an unattended property.

RSPCA prosecution of animal hoarder Judy Doolan from Highbridge, Somerset. Photo: Judy Doolan / Facebook

The 16 Romanian rescue dogs had reportedly been left unattended at Doolan’s home for several days while she lived elsewhere on a caravan site. Some were emaciated and had rotten teeth, dirty smelly coats, and overgrown nails.

RSPCA prosecution of animal hoarder Judy Doolan from Highbridge, Somerset. Image: RSPCA.

Several were found to be extremely fear-aggressive and unsafe to handle through their lack of socialisation. Nine dogs had to be put down due to their poor state of health.

The court heard how in March 2023 RSPCA inspector Hayley Lawrence attended at Doolan’s home to investigate a report of concern about animals at the property. On looking through the letter box she could see that the property was very dirty inside with large amounts of faeces covering the floor area which she said “looked and smelled horrendous”.

Inspector Lawrence had concerns for Doolan’s wellbeing as well as for the dogs so she called her colleagues, police and a vet to attend. Dogs could be seen at the window but no food or water could be seen.

Police located Doolan at the caravan site and returned to the address where she brought the dogs out individually to the front door for them to be checked and recorded.

On examination, many of the dogs were found to have severe matting – the matts on one dog were found to weigh 2.15kg.

The vet describes observing that two rooms of the house had a large build up of faecal matter with the windows heavily soiled in faeces. Some of the dogs also had faecal soiling on their feet and coats.

In mitigation, it was said Ms Doolan had rescued dogs from Romania and had got out of her depth and had struggled with personal difficulties throughout her life.

Doolan plead guilty to two animal welfare offences. She had appealed against her sentence, which was originally imposed in October 2023.

The surviving dogs have been cared for by RSPCA and are thriving.

Speaking after the appeal hearing Inspector Lawrence said: “Our plea to all animal owners is to make sure they always receive care and treatment they need when they need it.

“Animals are completely reliant on their owners to ensure their needs are met and they are kept safe and healthy. Owning an animal is a privilege – and ensuring appropriate care is a key part of the responsibility we have towards them.”

Sentencing | fined £600. Ten-year ban on keeping dogs but may appeal after seven years.

Somerset County Gazette
Burnham-on-Sea.com|
BristolLive

Animal Abandonment, Dogs, puppy farmers / traffickers, kennels, backyard breeders, Serial Animal Abusers

Ramsgate, Kent: Tim Springett

February 4, 2024 misanthropic 2 Comments

CONVICTED (2024) | backyard breeder and conman Timothy Ronald Springett, born October 1973, with a last known address of Whinfell Avenue, Ramsgate CT11 0QE – kept a Russian terrier in conditions that exposed him to the elements and allowed his fur to become severely matted and full of dirt and faeces.

Animal abuser and conman Tim Springett from Ramsgate, Kent — Convicted fraudster Tim Springett repeatedly ignores the RSPCA’s advice to groom his dog and failed to provide him with a sheltered sleeping area.

Following an RSPCA investigation former company director Tim Springett, who was jailed for four years in 2015 for serious tax fraud and money laundering offences, was found to be in breach of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 in relation to the dog, called Barney. This states that owners must protect the animal from suffering by grooming regularly, and provide the animal with a safe and hygienic environment.

Ramsgate man Tim Springett's dog Barney was found carrying 8kg of matted fur but is now unrecognisable after being rescued by the RSPCA — The weight of filth in Barney’s coat affected his mobility

Police seized Barney at Springett’s home, after finding him wandering in the garden clambering over mess and smelling of faeces.

The Russian Terrier was found to have been carrying an extra 21% of its body weight from the excess hair. The RSPCA shaved 7.8kg of matted fur, with staff suspecting it was a result of the dog being left to sleep outside, with no shelter or dry areas.

Persistent liar Springett told RSPCA inspectors that he believed the breed did not need clipping.

In court he pleaded guilty to two animal welfare offences.

In a witness statement, investigating RSPCA Inspector Tina Nash said Barney was: “extremely matted, with big clumps of fur hanging off of him that appeared to be full of dirt or faeces and tightly bound to areas around his back”

Describing how the pet’s poor odour made her feel ill, Tina said: “The dog did not smell very nice and made me want to wretch.

“The environment was very untidy with lots of stuff everywhere and very dirty.

“I went into the back garden which was covered in faeces and very dirty.

“There were no dry areas for the dog.”

The vet who shaved Barney said: “The dog had been made to support a coat weighing approximately 21% of his body weight as he moved around. The weight of this coat would have risen considerably when the dog was wet. I am in no doubt that this would cause the animal physical stress as he moved.

“It is my professional opinion, based on the information provided to me, that the person responsible for the care of the dog had failed to provide the dog with a sheltered sleeping area with bedding. The person had also failed to groom the dog over many months and, as a consequence, had left him in a position where he was likely to suffer.”

During mitigation, Springett said that he loves dogs and has experience working with them, and claimed his ill-health was behind the issues.

Barney has been transformed after months of care by the RSPCA. Currently in private boarding, he will be made available for rehoming soon.

Sentencing | 12-month community order. Five year ban applicable to all animals (expires February 2029).

National World
Daily Mail
Kent Online

Additional Information

In 2015 Kimberley White, founder of The Retreat Animal Rescue, was given a conditional discharge after admitting illegally receiving 10 “malnourished” dogs from Tim Springett after he was arrested for fraud.

Kimberley pleaded guilty to handling three German and Belgian Shepherd dogs and seven puppies, all of whom were microchipped to Springett.

The court heard that while in custody Springett had asked his estranged wife to arrange care for the dogs, who were housed at his home in Whinfell Avenue, Ramsgate.

On his release from custody Springett discovered the dogs were missing and initially thought they had been seized by a landlord in lieu of non-payment of rent. But neighbours confirmed they had seen a van bearing the logo of The Retreat and a complaint was made to the police.

Kimberley’s lawyer told the court her client had spent £5,000 of her own money caring for the dogs, who she said were seriously malnourished.

She said: “Many of the puppies were close to death and she had wanted to care for them. She has now learned a harsh lesson.

“But she is a person who lives, breathes and sleeps her work looking after dogs. She made no money out of placing the animals. Her objective was to find them good and loving homes”.

The lawyer added that after some of the animals were later returned to Springett and after his jailing were given to the RSPCA and later put down.

The presiding judge, Heather Norton, gave Kimberley a conditional discharge and questioned whether her prosecution was in the public interest.

Kent Online

Dogs, Multiple Species, Reptiles / Exotics

North Shields, Tyne and Wear: Paul Smith

May 4, 2023 misanthropic Leave a comment

CONVICTED (2023) | Paul Smith, born c. 1955, of Percy Court, North Shields NE29 6JG – left his two Bichon Frise dogs with severely rotting teeth and fur matted with faeces and failed to treat a Chinese water dragon’s ailments.

North Shields man Paul Smith was given a short ban on keeping animals after severely neglecting his pets

Smith pleaded guilty to three animal welfare offences in relation to dogs Bobby and Molly and a reptile named Charlie kept at his home in Percy Court. The RSPCA rescued all three pets in January 2023.

Bobby, aged 7, had to have 14 of his teeth removed such was the extent of his dental disease. Eleven-year-old Molly’s coat was so badly matted that every movement tugged on her skin and she was unable to see out of her left eye.

Smith also neglected a Chinese water dragon called Charlie, who had an injury to the tip of his tail.

The court heard how RSPCA animal rescue officer Heather Wade had visited Smith’s home on January 15, 2023, to investigate a report of concern for his pets.

“There was an extremely unpleasant smell throughout the property and no flooring on either the hallway or living area floor,” she said.

“The house appeared run down, messy and very dirty with brown grime over most surfaces. In the living area, there were two dogs which Mr Smith informed me were Molly and Bobby.

“Both dogs looked as though they should have been white in colour, but had patches of brown matted fur all over their face and bodies. I was approached by Molly and could see the claws on one of her front feet were very overgrown.

“Bobby seemed extremely uncomfortable and was constantly rubbing his face on various surfaces throughout the visit.”

A vivarium housing a ten-year-old male Chinese water dragon called Charlie was also in the living area. The officer immediately noticed an abnormality with the reptile’s upper jaw/nose area and saw that part of his tail was missing. She was told by Smith that the reptile was unable to see the glass and kept hitting it.

When asked when the dogs had last been seen by a groomer or vet Smith said he could not remember and was suffering from functional memory loss.

Bobby went on to make a good recovery in the RSPCA’s care, but sadly the decision was made to put Charlie and Molly to sleep to prevent further suffering.

Molly had Cushing’s disease and had stopped eating, with tests showing a deterioration in her renal function, while Charlie also had severe mouth rot to his nose and upper and lower jaw on both sides.

Speaking after the case, RSPCA inspector Helen Bestwick who led the charity’s investigation said: “All three animals were clearly in a terrible and unacceptable state and this would have been obvious to their owner for months, yet veterinary help had not been sought.

“It’s imperative that people reach out and ask for support at an early stage, rather than letting animals suffer unnecessary neglect in circumstances like this.”

Sentencing | suspended eight-week prison sentence in court. Banned from keeping dogs and reptiles for two years (expires April 2025).

ChronicleLive
ITV News

Animal Abandonment, Equine Abuse, horses and ponies, Lifers

Appleby Magna, North West Leicestershire: Russell Whitehead

May 25, 2022 misanthropic 4 Comments

CONVICTED (2022) | Russell Whitehead, born c. 1988, of the Black Horse Inn, 2 Top Street, Appleby Magna, Swadlincote DE12 7AH – left a horse to starve until she became “skin and bones”.

Russell Whitehead (right) with husband Dale Whitehead

The horse called Paris was neglected by Russell Whitehead, who runs the Black Horse Inn with husband Dale Whitehead, for at least the last four months of her life. Whitehead said the pressures of running his business had got on top of him and long-term staff sickness meant he had less and less time to care for the horse.

Whitehead pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering and failing to protect the animal from harm.

The RSPCA was alerted to Paris’s plight after photographs of her poor condition were posted on social media.

Inspector Harlock attended the location on February 19, 2022, and was met by the police. A number of the members of the public were also at the location.

Whitehead approached the officer and explained he was responsible for the horse. He said he had been ‘gifted’ the thoroughbred mare.

He had informed the owner of Paris – who then also attended the location to remove the horse from his care. The owner transported the horse to an equine clinic where vets examined her and provide the necessary care.

Inspector Harlock later said: “I went over to Paris and even with her rug on I could see her hip bones and that she had no muscle on her neck. With help from the police officers we moved her away from the other two ponies and removed her rug. I could see she was extremely underweight, she had no muscle on her body, all her ribs and hip bones were visible.”

A report by an expert vet who examined Paris concluded that: “There was no evidence that the horse was emaciated due to any other cause than inadequate consumption of nutrition. The chronic lack of nutrition led to catabolism of body fat and muscle.

“The neglect of preventative routine health care was evident in all aspects; foot trimming, dental care and basic grooming. The time period of suffering to get into this condition would be at least four months, more likely six months or more. The teeth appeared not to have been rasped for at least 12 months.”

Tragically although Paris had started to show signs of improvement she had to be put to sleep after she developed colic a few days later.

Sentencing | 18-month community order with 300 hours unpaid work; £295 in costs and charges. Banned from keeping all animals for life.

Staffordshire Live

Dogs, Worst of the Worst

Llanelli, Carmarthenshire: Linda Jones

April 27, 2022 misanthropic 1 Comment

CONVICTED (2022) | Linda Jones, born c. 1972, of Gwelfor, Llanelli SA14 9NT – allowed her dog’s fur to become so matted it stopped the blood supply on one of her legs.

Linda Jones told an RSPCA inspector there was ‘nothing wrong’ with her dog, Trixie, but a vet said she was in visible pain and had to be sedated just to be examined

Terrier Trixie’s condition was so bad that part of her skin had been “cheese wired” by bands of hair and matting which had cut into the flesh. This then cut off the blood supply to Trixie’s lower leg and caused the skin on her foot to turn black..

Her coat was also so severely matted in places that she could not even see properly.

The neglect was only discovered when her owner, Linda Jones, took her to the PDSA in Swansea in January 2022, where vets made the difficult decision to put her to sleep on welfare grounds.

The PDSA reported the matter to the RSPCA and Inspector Keith Hogben visited Jones’s home on January 11, 2022, to question her about Trixie’s poor condition.

Jones denied the allegation that Trixie was neglected and said there was nothing wrong with the dog. She claimed that her paw had been bad for just two weeks and that she intended to have the dog’s coat dealt with once her foot had been treated and healed.

The PDSA vet who examined Trixie said the damage had taken place over a longer period, however. They noted she was non-weight bearing on her left front leg, which was foul smelling, and that she was anxious and in visible pain.

Evidence read out in court from the vet said: “I was able to see the skin had been ‘cheese wired’ by the bands of hair and matting and had cut into the flesh revealing her flexor tendons and underlying fascia.

“It was also possible to see bone when the limb was flexed.

“The hair I was able to remove around her pads and toes revealed black, cold skin that was becoming necrotic. I believe this is what was causing the smell… Unfortunately this had cut off the vasculature to the distal limb which had died off.

“Mrs Jones advised that the duration of lameness was about a week, suggesting Trixie had been painful enough to not use the limb for that time as a minimum.

“In my opinion the changes to the limb had likely happened over a longer period of probably at least three weeks.

“This is not taking into account the discomfort Trixie would have been in with a heavily matted coat, which was likely of at least three months duration.”

In the face of damning evidence against herm Jones changed her plea to guilty in relation to causing “unnecessary suffering” to Trixie between 5 October 2021 and 5 January 5 2022.

Following the conclusion of the case, RSPCA Inspector Hogben said: “Sadly the basic needs of this little dog had not been met. She hadn’t been groomed regularly which resulted in a severely matted coat and a leg injury that couldn’t be treated in time to save Trixie’s life.”

Sentencing | eight-week prison sentence suspended for 12 months; 10 days of rehabilitation; £428 in costs and victim surcharge. Banned from keeping any animals for 10 years.

ITV News
Wales Online

Dogs

Inverurie, Aberdeenshire: Jenny Gray

March 3, 2022 misanthropic 1 Comment

CONVICTED (2022) | Jennifer A Gray, born 4 February 1980, of 14 Upperboat Road, Inverurie AB51 3WF – allowed her pet dog to become emaciated, with an open leg wound and bleeding lesions across his body.

Neighbours intervened after Jenny Gray starved and neglected her pet dog, Scooby, who is shown after his recovery in the care of the SSPCA.

The neglect inflicted on springer spaniel Scooby also saw him suffer severe dental disease and a matted coat thick with grease and dirt.

It was determined that his owner, Jenny Gray, had caused the animal unnecessary suffering over two months.

Gray pleaded guilty to one charge of failing to provide appropriate care and nutrition to Scooby and of neglecting to seek veterinary advice on his injuries between September 11 2020 and November 11 2020.

The court hear that Gray’s neighbours had become concerned about the condition of the dog and had taken him in before alerting the SSPCA.

Inspectors found that the dog had suffered unnecessarily due to being emaciated and having lesions across his body, no fat over his legs, spine or hips and loss of muscle over his head.

Inspectors also discovered an open wound on Scooby’s leg, gum recession, sunken eyes and his coat was thick with grease and dirt.
The neglect was assessed as having lasted around two months.

Gray’s lawyer told the court his client had acquired the dog as a puppy but that as he had got older [he] “seemed to prefer to be outside” adding that he also seemed “to have a failing appetite”.

He added: “Whilst her attention was elsewhere, the dog ended up much further down the queue until some neighbours took it in before reporting it to SSPCA.

“She is horrified about the information that has been relayed concerning the dog’s condition – it was a cherished animal.

“Thankfully there have been no similar incidents and she has decided not to have any further animals as pets.”

Sentencing: community payback order with 12 months of supervision. Five-year disqualification order (expires March 2027).

Press & Journal

Animal Abandonment, Cats, Dogs, Multiple Species

Livingston, West Lothian: Kirsty McNeil

November 17, 2021 misanthropic 1 Comment

#MostEvil | Kirsty M McNeil, born 13 May 1981, previously of Nelson Avenue, Livingston EH54 6BY – neglected several animals with the emaciated remains of a dog found in her freezer.

Kirsty McNeil was found to have kept the remains of a dog named Cooper after he had slowly been starved to death.

The mother-of-three had admitted to causing the pet unnecessary suffering by failing to provide him with appropriate care and treatment.

During an earlier hearing, McNeill was banned from keeping any kind of animal for a period of five years.

McNeil was also found to have mistreated two other dogs and cats that she kept at her home.

After initially being given a structured deferred sentence in August 2021, Ms McNeil was given a second nine-month sentencing deferral in November 2021.

The decision was said to be to enable her to take full advantage of the help and support being offered to her by social work and other agencies.

Adjourning the case until 18 August 2022 for McNeil – who was not in court – to be of good behaviour, Sheriff Jane Farquharson commented: “I take full account of the significant efforts she’s made herself.

“Nine months gives her the opportunity to do what she needs, but gives her the security that the court is keeping an eye on things to ensure that she’s maintaining her progress.”

Glenn Fraser, defending, told Livingston Sheriff Court that his client’s mental health had been “extremely poor” at the time of the offence and she hadn’t been looking after herself or anyone else.

He said she had “grasped the help she is now receiving with both hands” and was making every effort to deal with ongoing issues in her life.

He said: “The charges are serious charges. If the help she’s got now had been available at the time, perhaps we wouldn’t be here now.”

Mr Fraser told the earlier hearing that his client had not ill-treated her pets because of deliberate cruelty.

He said: “This happened because she wasn’t coping at the time. She just went into a downward spiral.”

The case came to light on 24 November 2019 after an anonymous caller told the Scottish SPCA that two cats at McNeil’s then home in Nelson Avenue, Livingston, were not being attended to.

SSPCA inspectors found the floor of McNeil’s home covered in dog faeces and a strong smell of urine in the flat.

Cooper, whose body had initially been stored in the drawer of a broken freezer, was found in a shallow grave in the garden.

His fur was so matted that inspectors couldn’t identify what breed the dog was.

The dead animal had not been exercised or cared for properly for so long that his claws curved underneath the pads on his feet and there were clumps of faecal matter on his hindquarters.

Yorkshire terrier Max was very thin with a matted coat.

Two other dogs – a cross-breed called Benji and a Yorkshire terrier named Max – had similarly overgrown nails through lack of exercise.

Sharply pronged carpet gripper was exposed around the edges of the faeces-covered carpet in one room and there was clear evidence that the animals had chewed and scratched the door frame in a desperate bid to escape.

The pets which were still alive were rescued and taken away in an SSPCA van. Cooper’s body was disposed of after a vet carried out a post mortem examination to establish the cause of death, which was organ failure caused by malnutrition.

McNeil pleaded guilty to failing to feed Cooper properly whereby he became emaciated with a matted coat, overgrown claws and faecal and urine staining on his fur.

She also pleaded guilty to failing to take reasonable steps to meet the needs of her two other dogs and two cats between the same dates, 24 September and 24 November 2019, by failing to give the pets suitable food and water and adequate exercise which would have allowed them to exhibit normal behaviour patterns.

In addition, she admitted neglecting her mother Agnes Woodside, for whom she was carer, and other individuals by failing (presumably her children) to provide them with adequate food and clothing.

Scottish SPCA inspector Fiona Thorburn said inspectors who visited the property had found Max, a Yorkshire terrier, who was very thin with a matted coat, and Benji, a small crossbreed, who seemed to be in fair condition with mild matting.

“Max was kept by the vet for treatment and the other animals were taken to an animal rescue and rehoming centre where they received the care and rehabilitation they needed.

“The suffering McNeil directly caused Max and Cooper by failing to provide food and the most basic of care was entirely avoidable.”

Sentencing: deferred until 18 August 2022. Five-year ban imposed (expires August 2026).

Edinburgh Live
Daily Record

Dogs, Pet Profiteering, puppy farmers / traffickers, kennels, backyard breeders

Bradford Moor, Bradford: Kieran Routh

November 5, 2021 misanthropic Leave a comment

CONVICTED (2021) | backyard breeder Kieran Luke Routh, born 11 January 1991, of Radnor Street, Bradford BD3 8EA – failed to treat an Akita’s leg sores or maintain her grooming.

Dog abuser Kieran Luke Routh from the City of Bradford

Routh, who works as a musician/rapper under the name K13, was banned from owning animals for five years and ordered to pay £1,000 after being convicted of cruelty to an unnamed Akita .

He did not treat his Akita’s leg sores or maintain her grooming. He also failed to provide her with a safe living environment or veterinary treatment.

As well as the £1,000 financial penalty, a community order was also made against him.

Routh pleaded not guilty but was found guilty after a trial.

Telegraph & Argus

Birds, Cats, Dogs, Multiple Species, Serial Animal Abusers

Sutton-On-Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire: Susan Carmichael

August 1, 2021 misanthropic Leave a comment

CONVICTED (2021) | Susan C Carmichael, born c. 1948, of Dalsetter Rise, Sutton-on-Hull HU8 9JE – repeatedly breached a ban on keeping pets imposed for a 2018 animal cruelty conviction.

The “timid” cat has been rehomed and is now known as Cameron Poe.

Carmichael was found guilty of breaching a three-year ban on keeping animals imposed in relation to a 2016 cruelty case. This was her second breach.

In March 2018 Carmichael received a three-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, for the same offence by keeping two shih tzu-type dogs, known as Tia and Ty, and a budgerigar called Georgie. She was also found to have failed to protect the dogs from pain, suffering, injury and disease by not adequately grooming them; and failing to provide the dogs with a suitable environment.

She previously breached the ban In March 2018 after two Shih Tzu dogs and a budgerigar were found at her home and a further three-year ban was imposed.

RSPCA inspector Jilly Dickinson visited Carmichael’s home on 12 February 2020, following a tip-off that she had a pet.

There was no answer, but Inspector Dickinson returned to the house two days later accompanied by a council animal warden with a warrant to search the property for any pets.

Carmichael’s son was at the house and confirmed that a timid male chocolate-coloured Burmese/Siamese type cat belonged to his mother. The cat was taken into RSPCA care.

Carmichael denied owning the animal but this was not accepted by the court.

In sentencing Carmichael the District Judge said: “It is important that you understand one thing from your appearance today.

“Any more animals in your possession will result in you going to prison.

“That is the most important message you must take from today – there must be no more animals”.

Speaking about the case Inspector Dickinson said: “We rely on the public to notify us of any breach of bans and I would always urge them to report matters like this to us.”

Sentencing: 12-week custodial sentence suspended for 12 months; 12-month supervision requirement; a total of £538 in costs, fines and charges. A 10-year ban on owning animals (expires July 2031).

Hull Live

Dogs

Washwood Heath, Birmingham: Leustean Dumitru

March 1, 2021 misanthropic 1 Comment

CONVICTED (2021) | Leustean Dumitru, born c. 1985, of Sladefield Road, Birmingham B8 2SY – for the severe neglect of a Shih Tzu dog found matted, with inflamed skin and smelling strongly of urine and faeces

Before and after photos of neglected Shih Tzu Louie — Louie at the time of his rescue (left) and how he is following months of TLC by Ravens Rescue UK

On 21 February 2020 Environmental Health officers from Birmingham City Council found the neglected Shih Tzu in commercial premises in the Washwood Heath area of Birmingham.

The dog’s fur was so severely matted that he had to be anaesthetised by a vet to be clipped. His skin was inflamed and infected in several areas and there was urine scalding on his hind limbs and groin.

The dog was placed into the care of Ravens Rescue UK, who spent months helping him recover from an ordeal that had also scarred him mentally.

In the words of Ravens Rescue:

He would cower, hide, climb in the shower base or an open cupboard to avoid his fosters. He would wet himself with fear and scream if touched.
The little dog, renamed Louie, has slowly learned to trust humans again and now that the court case has concluded will be adopted.

On 1 March 2021 Louie’s previous owner, Romanian national Leustean Dumitru, pleaded guilty to failing in his duty of care to ensure the dog’s needs were met, contrary to the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

Sentencing: 100 hours of unpaid community work; total of £1895 in costs and charges. 10-year ban on keeping any animals. A deprivation order was also made, which now allows the dog to be rehomed.

Birmingham City Council Facebook post 01/03/202 1

UK Animal Cruelty Files