CONVICTED (2021) | Caroline Elizabeth Barker. born c. 1978, of Kesteven Square, Sunderland SR5 4AU – neglected and starved her four dogs to emaciation
Mother-of-three Caroline Barker admitted causing unnecessary suffering to dogs Ben, Flossy, Missy and Willow over a one-month period.
Discussing the sight which greeted her, RSPCA Inspector Helen Bestwick said: “I found Willow, a tan and white male Lurcher type dog, curled up near the doorstep.
“He was in a very thin body condition with his ribs, hips and spine clearly visible. I could see live fleas and flea dirt in his coat.
“Inside the house in the kitchen I had to use torchlight to see the two Staffordshire bull terrier-type dogs, Ben and Flossy, and a Jack Russell terrier called Missy.
“These dogs were also in thin body condition with their stomachs tucked in and had varying degrees of fur loss.
“I noticed the floor was wet with urine, a crate contained dirty, shredded bedding and there weren’t any dog bowls down for the dogs.
“Police seized the dogs and I took them to a vet for examination.
“The vet confirmed all four dogs were emaciated. They readily ate treats offered to them and were actively looking for food.”
The court was told that Ms Barker had effectively lost focus after the death of a loved one and that harm was caused through incompetence owing to personal circumstances rather than malice*.
Barker agreed to sign the animals over after the court hearing, enabling the RSPCA to find them new homes.
All of the dogs have since put on weight since being in the charity’s care.
Inspector Bestwick added: “Animals are completely reliant on their owners. There is never an excuse to ignore their needs and leave an animal to suffer in the way that these four dogs did.”
Sentencing: ordered to pay a total of £694 in fines, costs and charges. Banned from keeping all animals for 10 years but can appeal in five.
*Additional Information
In April 2017 Caroline Barker was arrested alongside three juvenile males on suspicion of the murder of her partner, Barry Solomon. Mr Solomon was found dead with a stab wound to his leg. In October 2019 BBC News reported the conclusion of an inquest into Mr Solomon’s death that he “may have been subjected to physical and verbal abuse at the hands of [Caroline Barker]“.
Det Ch Insp Andy Fairlamb, of Northumbria Police, told the inquest Barker, who did not attend the inquest, was arrested at the scene.
He said during a subsequent interview, under caution, Baker denied causing Mr Solomon’s injuries.
She also initially told officers she came home to find Mr Solomon injured.
But he said CCTV proved she had “lied about that” and was in the house at the time he sustained his injuries.
The inquest heard officers considered they had sufficient evidence to charge Barker with murder or manslaughter, but Det Ch Insp Fairlamb said the Crown Prosecution Service did not authorise a charge because there was “insufficient evidence to confidently demonstrate that Mr Solomon had not injured himself”.
The inquest was told the force unsuccessfully appealed the decision.
The inquest recorded an open verdict.
Northumbria Police said it respected the outcome of the inquest but would investigate if new information came to light.
