Tag Archives: North Tyneside

dog attack, dog fighting, Dogs, Organised Animal Crime, Pet Profiteering, puppy farmers / traffickers, kennels, backyard breeders, Traveller Animal Crimes

Wallsend, North Tyneside: Kevin Turner

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CONVICTED (2023) | backyard breeder and alleged dog fighter Kevin Turner, born 16 June 1985, previously of Collingwood Road in North Shields but now of 47 Coach Road, Wallsend NE28 6JA – failed to take a seriously injured bulldog to the vet after she fought with another dog.

Drug dealer, backyard breeder, (alleged) dog fighter and traveller Kevin Turner was jailed for failing to take his dog to the vet after she was bitten by another dog
Worthless: Drug dealer, backyard breeder, (alleged) dog fighter and traveller Kevin Turner was jailed for failing to take his dog to the vet after she was bitten by another dog

Turner, a traveller who runs a rubbish clearance business called Fast Waste North East, left the two-year-old dog, Babe, to suffer with extensive injuries to her head, neck and legs. Her wounds became infected leaving her in great pain.

Drug dealer, backyard breeder, (alleged) dog fighter and traveller Kevin Turner was jailed for failing to take his dog to the vet after she was bitten by another dog

RSPCA inspectors paid a visit to Turner’s former home at Collingwood Road in North Shields on April 13, 2023, and found Babe with a large open wound on the right-hand side of her ear, neck and face where the skin was hanging loose. As well as the injuries to her face, neck and legs, Babe was also suffering from sore skin on her stomach and the pads of her feet.

Drug dealer, backyard breeder, (alleged) dog fighter and traveller Kevin Turner was jailed for failing to take his dog to the vet after she was bitten by another dog

The RSPCA said Turner claimed he was registered with the PDSA and had been planning to take the dog to see the charity’s vets the following day. But when the inspector checked the PDSA had no record of him.

Following an RSPCA prosecution convicted heroin dealer Turnerpleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to the bulldog by failing to seek veterinary care, as well as a charge of failing to ensure the dog’s needs were met.

The court heard a statement from the vet that said Babe may have lost her ear if she didn’t have surgery.

In mitigation, the court was told that Turner had kept dogs for many years without any issues.

Drug dealer, backyard breeder, (alleged) dog fighter and traveller Kevin Turner was jailed for failing to take his dog to the vet after she was bitten by another dog

Babe’s damaged ear was reconstructed during surgery and she has since made a remarkable recovery. She was discharged to kennels the day after the operation and her wounds and skin infections then healed over several weeks. She remains in RSPCA care and will be rehomed soon.

Animal abuser Kevin Turner owns a waste management business called Fast Waste North East.
Animal abuser Kevin Turner owns a waste management business

After sentencing, RSPCA inspector Terri-Ann Fannon said: “Babe’s injuries were among some of the worst I’ve seen from a dog attack and the infection she suffered was horrendous. But she has done so well at RSPCA Felledge Animal Centre, where she has made some new doggy friends.

“She was a bit anxious and nervous at first, but has turned out to be a lovely boisterous girl. She was so depressed when I first met her, but she’s like a different dog now, full of mischief and wanting treats and attention.”

Sentencing | jailed for 10 weeks; £360 costs plus £154 victim surcharge. 10-year ban on keeping all animals.

ChronicleLive
Mirror

Animal Abandonment, Cats, Lifers, Worst of the Worst

Wallsend, Tyne and Wear: Debi Ferry

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CONVICTED (2023) | Deborah Ferry, born 23 June 1973, of 69 Matfen Gardens, Howdon, Wallsend NE28 0ER – moved out of a filthy property leaving her pets behind to starve to death.

Wallsend woman Debi Ferry left her cats to starve to death in her abandoned home
Debi Ferry left her cats to starve to death in her abandoned home

Ferry’s three-year-old tortoiseshell cat, named Megan, was found dead in the living room of her home in Tynemouth Road, Wallsend. Ferry had moved out of the property to live with her boyfriend and left the cat behind.

The severely decomposed remains of another cat were discovered behind a bath panel.

Wallsend woman Debi Ferry left her cats to starve to death in her abandoned home
The house of horrors where the remains of two dead cats were found after their owner moved out

The court heard how RSPCA inspector Kirsty Keogh-Laws visited the Wallsend property on August 25, 2022, following a report of concern for the welfare of a cat living there.

When there was no reply at the house, she looked through the letter box and noted a strong smell, the presence of flies and rubbish strewn across the floor.

The pathway to the rear of the property was also laden with mess and she could see the kitchen looked dirty and hazardous.

On August 29 police were called to gain entry to the property where Megan was found dead next to a shopping trolley in the living room.

RSPCA inspector Rowena Proctor told the court: “The smell through the letterbox was dreadful and there were a lot of flies buzzing at the window. Once the door was open, the smell was so much worse than expected. Flies seemed to be everywhere, hundreds of them.

“An old indoor cage base from a guinea pig cage was being used as a litter tray. This was very dirty with numerous piles of faeces. The cooker top was completely covered by dirty dishes. The kitchen bench was filthy and had empty tins of cat food, a very spoiled bowl of milk which had flies stuck into the solidified top and two pet food bowls with some old, dried food.

“The bedrooms were as messy and unclean as the rest of the property, again with bare floorboards, bare walls, cat faeces, general filth, food wrappers and stained mattresses. Entering the bathroom, it felt as though I was being swarmed by flies. The dirty toilet had at least 20 flies floating in it.”

Wallsend woman Debi Ferry left her cats to starve to death in her abandoned home

The officer described how she noticed a “cat-sized” hole in the side of the bath and pulled the panel off to find a black and white cat which had been dead for some time. The animal’s pelvic bones were visible and no eyeballs remained in the head.

“Thousands of live fleas attached themselves to me once the panel was removed,” said the inspector. “I have dealt with a lot of flea ridden animals but I have never seen fleas to this extent.”

Police enquiries were made and Ferry was arrested at an address in Wallsend later that day.

During her interview, Ferry described the living conditions as a “s**t hole” and said it had been like that for two to three months.

She said she was disgusted with herself and confirmed that she had neglected the cats but couldn’t afford the gas or electricity at the property and was staying with her partner.

A post mortem showed that Megan had a portosystemic shunt which was affecting her liver function and food metabolism.

Ferry had also failed to seek veterinary help for Megan’s chronic flea infestation, which had caused her to suffer from inflamed skin and hair loss for several weeks.

Megan’s prolonged, untreated skin disease had also caused distress and abnormal behaviour of excessive over grooming, including hair ingestion, although this could also have been triggered by hunger.

The report said Megan died due to starvation, in combination with her liver shunt.

Speaking after the sentencing, inspector Proctor added: “This was an extremely upsetting case to investigate. The conditions inside the house were horrendous and the amount of flies and fleas were on a scale that I hadn’t seen before.

“No animal should ever be put in a position where they are left to fend for themselves. If people are struggling we would urge them to contact animal welfare charities for assistance and help with rehoming, rather than leaving their pets to suffer and die alone like poor Megan did.”

Sentencing | 12-week jail term, suspended for 18months; ordered to pay a total of £754. Lifetime ban on owning all animals.

Northern Echo
ChronicleLive

Dogs, Multiple Species, Reptiles / Exotics

North Shields, Tyne and Wear: Paul Smith

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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.”

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

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.

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

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, Dogs

North Shields, Tyne and Wear: Callum Paramos

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CONVICTED (2023) | Callum Paramos, born 23 July 2001, of 14 Seymour Street, North Shields NE29 6SN – left an underweight dog unattended in an empty flat.

Convicted animal abuser: Callum Paramos from North Shields, Tyne and Wear, UK. Pic: Facebook

Paramos pleaded guilty to an offence under the Animal Welfare Act in relation to a skinny lurcher named Zeus kept in the kitchen of his flat in Seymour Street, North Shields.

Skinny lurcher Zeus was left alone in an empty flat by Callum Paramos from North Shields, Tyne and Wear. Pic: RSPCA
Zeus was underweight, with his bones seen protruding from his body, and had been left unattended for long periods of time

Investigating RSPCA inspector Helen Bestwick described the scene in a witness statement to the court.

She said: “I immediately noticed a strong smell of urine.”

“The dog was in a thin bodily condition and I could easily see its ribs, hips and spine. His nails were also long. The dog was bright, alert and friendly.”

Convicted animal abuser: Callum Paramos from North Shields, Tyne and Wear, UK. Pic: Facebook

Inspector Bewick noted that the flat seemed to contain no personal belongings, suggesting that no one lived there.

She said: “The sofa had been chewed and shredded by the dog. In the kitchen there was a large bag of Wagg dog biscuits which looked like it was nearly full.

“There was a bowl of biscuits down and a paint tray being used for water. They looked like they had just been put there. I suspected the dog was regularly being left alone in the flat for long periods of time.”

In a court statement a vet said that Zeus was 15% underweight, with his ribs, vertebrae and pelvic bones easily visible.

They added: “The ability and willingness of the dog to eat and the lack of abnormal health conditions detected on examination led me to form the opinion that a suitable diet sufficient in protein, calories and quantity had not always been available.”

Convicted animal abuser: Callum Paramos from North Shields, Tyne and Wear, UK. Pic: Facebook

Addressing the dog’s living conditions, the vet said that the area where Zeus was kept was “littered with faecal material and looked to be wet”. His need for a comfortable, clean and dry rest area had not therefore been met.

In court, Paramos conceded that he had fallen short in caring for Zeus, whom he said he had taken on from a previous owner.

Zeus now. Pic: RSPCA
Zeus now

Zeus was taken into the care of RSPCA Felledge Animal Centre, before being transferred to the RSPCA Bryn Y Maen Animal Centre, where he is to be made available for rehoming.

Sentencing | 20-month community order with 40 hours of unpaid work; £100 in costs and £114 victim surcharge. Banned from keeping dogs for just two years (expires March 2025)

Newcastle World
Chronicle

Dogs

Wallsend, North Tyneside: Margery and Thomas Taylor

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CONVICTED (2022) | Margery Taylor, born c. 1948, and son Thomas Taylor, born c. 1976, both of North View, Wallsend NE28 7NF – neglected an elderly dog found in a sleeping bag soaked with blood and urine.

Yorkie Hughie was found with a serious skin condition which had been ignored by his heartless owners.
Yorkie Hughie was found with a serious skin condition which had been ignored by his heartless owners.

The pair failed to get help for 12-year-old Yorkshire terrier Hughie, who became stuck to a sodden sleeping bag as his body was completely covered in scabs.

RSPCA inspector Kirsty Keogh-Laws said Hughie stunk of rotting flesh and yeast when she rescued him from the family’s “filthy” home.

“There was rotten food in open containers all over the property and the dirt stuck to my shoes when I was walking,” she said of her visit on February 18, 2022.

“Hughie was on a sleeping bag on the sofa and the bag was wet underneath him with a combination of blood and urine. It appeared he had been sitting there for some time as bits of skin were stuck to the sleeping bag where he lay.”

Inspector Keogh-Laws said Hughie was almost bald on some parts of his body and large chunks of his skin were peeling off.

Yorkie Hughie was found with a serious skin condition which had been ignored by his heartless owners.

Margery Taylor knew her dog had been unwell and even took him to the vets in September 2021, where he was prescribed a second bottle of anti-inflammatory tablets. Both bottles were found by the inspector to still be “at least half” full.

The Taylors both pleaded guilty to two offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006. They admitted causing unnecessary suffering to the dog by not providing vet care for his severe skin condition. They also admitted to failing to meet the dog’s needs by failing to provide him with a suitable environment.

Hughie pictured following his recovery

Hughie is recovering from his ordeal, though sadly the scars on his body will be permanent due to the severity of his neglect.

The vet who treated Hughie’s skin condition said: “His quality of life has improved dramatically and the dog is now enjoying life free from pain and restricted mobility. The desire to run and play is a lovely illustration of this.”

After spending time at RSPCA Felledge Animal Centre, Hughie is now being looked after by foster carers and will be found a permanent home soon.

Sentencing | a total of £234 each in fine and surcharge. Costs of £2,000 from central funds were awarded to the RSPCA. Banned from keeping animals for five years (expires December 2027).

ITV News
Chronicle

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

North Shields, Tyne and Wear: Steph Neesam

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CONVICTED (2022) | backyard dog and cat breeder Steph Neesam, born 5 September 1988, of Horsham Grove, North Shields NE29 7RX – left a bullmastiff to suffer for months with poor health.

Neesam pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to her dog called Viper. The bullmastiff had been left without veterinary care for a tumour on her left elbow, a skin condition, and weight loss.

When RSPCA Inspector Kirsty Keogh-Laws visited Neesam as part of her investigation she found Viper had thickened patches of skin on her back, tail and paw which was hot to touch and caused her irritation as she was scratching at them. Viper also had a flea infestation which Neesam said she had attempted to treat by using alternative products bought on the internet.

Greeder Neesam breeds bullmastiffs as well as Persian cats.

During the course of an interview, Neesam claimed the way that she was treating Viper was the way the dog would have been treated by a vet. She admitted that she had not sought any veterinary advice or treatment.

Inspector Keough-Laws took Viper to a vet to be examined who concluded Viper’s tumour would have been present for at least a month and the chronicity of her skin lesion indicated she had been suffering for a number of months. Viper underwent an operation to remove the tumour on her leg and has been recovering at the RSPCA’s Felledge Animal centre.

She will soon be looking for her forever home.

Sentencing | 12-month community order to include 180 hours unpaid work; £395 costs and charges. Five-year ban on keeping dogs (expires April 2027).

Chronicle Live

Cats

Wallsend, Tyne and Wear: Julieann Greenwood

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CONVICTED (2019) | Julieann Greenwood, born c. 1966, of Burn Closes Crescent, Wallsend NE28 – failed to get veterinary treatment for her flea-riddled pet cats.

Julieann Greenwood neglected her cats Starlight (top) and Sapphire
Julieann Greenwood neglected her cats Starlight (top) and Sapphire

Julieann Greenwood’s cats, Sapphire and Starlight, were found covered in fleas by RSPCA inspectors. A court heard that one of the animals was almost bald due to alopecia.

Prosecuting on behalf of the RSPCA, Stewart Haywood told North Tyneside Magistrates’ Court of Greenwood’s “prolonged neglect”.

He said: “It would have taken months for the cats to get into the condition they were in.

“The two cats were discovered by inspectors for the charity at her home in July, just months after her op.”

Starlight suffered months of neglect on the part of Julieann Greenwood from Wallsend, Tyne and Wear

Greenwood portrayed herself as a cat lover in court. She said she had tried to get treatment for her animals by buying a collar from Amazon.

Pictures later released by the RSPCA showed Starlight’s skin had scabbed due to the fleas. When challenged over their condition, Greenwood was said to have been abusive to inspectors.

Animal abuser Julieann Greenwood from Wallsend, Tyne and Wear

Defending her actions, Gerry Bass, mitigating, said: “I don’t think she gave the best impression of herself that day as she was deeply upset.”

Following a sex change earlier in the year, it was claimed she “had taken her eyes off the ball” and allowed her beloved pets to suffer.

Greenwood pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal.

Sentencing | fined £120 and ordered to pay £400 costs. Banned from keeping animals for five years (expires December 2024).

Chronicle Live

Dogs

Killingworth, North Tyneside: Nicola and Gavin Pearce

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CONVICTED (2016) | Nicola Pearce, born c. 1972, and husband Gavin Pearce, born 2 August 1969, of Chestnut Close, Killingworth, Newcastle upon Tyne NE12 6GL – failed to care for their elderly springer spaniel, who had to be put to sleep.

Nicola and Gavin Pearce pictured during their 2016 court appearance.
Nicola and Gavin Pearce pictured during their 2016 court appearance.

The 14-year–old dog, known as Bracken, was found to be underweight, suffering from an eye infection, urinary incontinence and a chronic skin condition. The dog was taken to a vet by the RSPCA and had to be put down.

Their elderly dog, Bracken (pictured) had to be euthanised on humane grounds.
Their elderly dog, Bracken (pictured) had to be euthanised on humane grounds.

Nicola Pearce pleaded guilty to two charges of causing unnecessary suffering to the animal, while Gavin Pearce admitted failing to meet the needs of the dog.

Denise Jackman, prosecuting for the RSPCA, said an inspector went to the couple’s home on June 13, 2016, and became concerned about Bracken’s condition.

She added: “The inspector saw immediately that the dog appeared to be in a thin condition. It had crusty eyes that were weeping and were sore.

“Its coat was stained yellow in urine and it appeared very weak.”

Gavin Pearce. Picture: Facebook.
Gavin Pearce. Picture: Facebook.

Bracken was then taken to a vet who concluded the animal had to be put to sleep because he was suffering.

Ms Jackman said: “According to the vet’s statement, this was a geriatric Springer Spaniel that was very unwell, weak and lethargic. It weighed only 15.2kg – a normal weight would be about 20kg. Its eyes were crusted with discharge.

“Urine passed involuntarily and its skin was severely diseased. Its feet were matted and contaminated.

“A urine sample was taken and it showed this dog was sadly suffering from neglect and it needed to be put to sleep.

“The suffering was chronic, over a period of many weeks. This was avoidable if care was given to this dog. A responsible owner would provide veterinary care.”

Mark Styles, representing the couple, told the court that Gavin Pearce had “noticed the deterioration in Bracken’s health” but failed “to persuade, to convince, his wife to take this dog to a vet”.

Speaking for Mrs Pearce, he said she suffered from severe mental health problems and was taking anti-depressants. He added that she “could not face” having Bracken put down due to “her emotional state”.

Sentence: 12-month community orders with probation for her and unpaid work for him, fines and costs. Banned from keeping animals for five years (expired October 2021).

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