CONVICTED (2024) | Donna Marie Morrison, born November 1981, of 36 Durham Street, Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 6XP – turned a blind eye to her elderly dog’s suffering.
Morrison repeatedly ignored RSPCA advice to take elderly Staffy Dozer to a vet and instead left him to suffer with an animal mass and tumours across his body. The animal charity had even appointments on her behalf but she failed to attend.
Due to his owner’s neglect, tumours had spread through Dozer’s body, resulting in his thin body condition, and he sadly had to be put to sleep.
RSPCA Inspector Helen Nedley said: “My colleague, Inspector Suzanne Edgar found that Dozer had a soft lump the size of a golf ball around his tail area.
“He also had a small lump the size of the end of a Biro pen on his front right leg.
“She strongly advised Donna Morrison to take Dozer to the vets for a check up on these lumps within the next two weeks.”
The tumours had spread through the canine’s body resulting in his thin body condition. Sadly vets had no choice but to put him down to prevent further suffering.
The court heard that the RSPCA first visited Morrison’s home in September 2022, after receiving reports of concern from the public.
Morrison was advised by the officer to take the dog to the vet. While she had apparently agreed to this, she failed to follow up.
By May 2023 Dozer’s condition had deteriorated significantly and he was signed over to the RSPCA and taken to a vet.
An ultrasound found two very large, hard masses inside Dozer’s abdomen pressing against his bladder, which had possibly spread from the original tumour on his backside.
An RSPCA spokesperson said: “The vet stated that given that Dozer’s weight loss was likely to have been somewhat chronic in nature, and that the anal mass had been present for some time, suffering could have been avoided if the dog had been taken to a vet sooner. It was likely Dozer had suffered for several weeks.
“He added that given the significant weight loss and the presence of the tumour, the needs of the Staffy were not being met.”
RSPCA Inspector Helen Nedley added: “It was Morrison’s legal responsibility to properly care for Dozer and she failed to do this. There was no excuse for failing to seek veterinary care for him when it was abundantly clear he so desperately needed it.
“This was an awful case and Dozer’s suffering could have easily been avoided. The RSPCA urges anyone struggling to take care of their animal to ask for help and act on advice, rather than neglecting them and leaving them to suffer.”
Sentencing | 18-month community order with 25 days of “rehabilitation” and 100 hours of unpaid work. £114 victim surcharge and £1,170 in costs. 10-year ban.
CONVICTED (2024) | Toni Leigh Rowland, born 22 August 1997, of Dundas Way, Felling, Gateshead NE10 9JR – left an 11-month-old dog to starve in a filthy cage.
Northumbria Police found Rowland’s dog- an American bulldog called Nala – in a urine-soaked cage in a bedroom at a property in Leeming Gardens. Sheriff Hill, Gateshead, on August 27, 2023, and rushed her to a veterinary practice
The puppy was so weak she couldn’t stand for longer than half a minute without falling over. The vet gave her a body condition score of just one out of nine and estimated she had been suffering from hunger for weeks if not months.
The RSPCA was contacted and an investigation started.
In written evidence to the court, Inspector Kirsty Keogh-Laws, who saw Nala at the vets, said: “She was desperately skinny and I was able to see every bone in her body.
“Her rib cage was visibly protruding from her body and I could count the bones along her spine. Her legs and back end were stained yellow with a strong smell of urine and she was unable to stand for longer than around 30 seconds or so without falling to the ground.
“I could see pressure sores on the pads of her feet and on her elbows. She was friendly despite being visibly very weak.”
The court heard that the team at Vets Now ran blood tests and instigated a feeding plan, aimed at preventing refeeding syndrome, which can be fatal.
Nala was cared for by a veterinary nurse from the practice before being transferred to the RSPCA rehoming centre for ongoing care in November 2023.
In court Nala’s owner, Rowland, a single mother whose two children have apparently been taken into care, admitted to two animal welfare offences.
Magistrates were told Rowland was suffering from “mental health problems” at the time.
When Nala arrived at the RSPCA Felledge Animal and Equine Centre in Chester-le-Street, she would urinate on the floor when staff called her name, so they stopped using it. Thankfully, there has been a happy ending for Nala, who has since been renamed Penny and rehomed with Beth Atkinson, who described her as “my world”.
Nala, who was renamed Penny, has been adopted by a woman who describes her as “my world”
Inspector Keogh-Laws praised Northumbria Police and vets for their support in the case, adding: “Without a doubt she was the thinnest dog I have ever seen alive. She couldn’t stand unaided at the vets for more than 30 seconds and was quite literally wasting away in a filthy cage.
“She was a very poorly dog when she first arrived at Vets Now in Gateshead and the team there were instrumental in her recovery. I think we were all hoping for the best but possibly fearing the worst, but they did a wonderful job. To see Penny now in her new home, transformed and living her best life with Beth, is just incredible.”
Sentencing | 12-month community order with 20 days of “rehabilitation” and 200 hours of unpaid work. FIVE-year disqualification order (expires April 2029).
CONVICTED | Peter Enobong Akpan Esen, born June 1989, of Rosebud Close, Swalwell, Newcastle upon Tyne NE16 3DF – neglected his elderly underweight dog and failed to seek veterinary care for her life-threatening uterine infection.
Esen had left the 13-year-old husky, Alex, unattended for at least 48 hours at his home.
She was suffering from pyometra – a life-threatening condition of the womb commonly found in older unneutered female dogs – and needed emergency surgery.
Her bottom incisor teeth were also worn down to less than half their normal height, which a vet thought could be attributed to her chewing empty cans of dogs food, which were found littered throughout the property.
Esen, who is thought to have links to Nottingham and Manchester, admitted three charges contrary to the Animal Welfare Act 2006, following a prosecution by the RSPCA and appeared at South Tyneside Magistrates Court for sentencing on 2 April 2024.
The court heard how RSPCA inspectors had taped the front door and the back gate of the house on 14 February 2023 following reports that a dog had been abandoned at the property.
The seals were still intact when a further visit was made by Inspector Rachael Hurst the following day.
In written evidence to the court Inspector Hurst said: “There were empty cans of dog food strewn all over the floor, visible inside the property through the glass in the door and in the rear garden visible through the fence, some of them had been chewed up and teeth marks were visible in them.
“The rear door to the property was wide open. I knocked at the door and there was no response and a black and white husky type dog then appeared in the hallway behind the door. I made enquiries with local residents but nobody knew where the owner of the dog was.
“The following day I attended again. There had been no changes, the tape seals were still intact on the front door and rear gate and the same dog was visible inside so I contacted Northumbria Police for assistance.”
During an initial examination of the dog, the inspector could easily feel her spine, hips and ribs. Her nails were also overgrown and splaying in different directions.
The property was resealed before Inspector Hurst took Alex to a vet. There, she was diagnosed with pyometra and needed emergency life-saving surgery and overnight hospitalisation.
Weighing 20kg against a healthy weight for her breed of between 22kg and 25kg, Alex was given a body condition score of just two out of nine. The vet said it could have taken months for her to have lost so much body fat and muscle.
Her claws were also overgrown indicating inadequate exercise had been provided.
In written evidence the vet said: “The large amount of fluid and pressure in her uterus meant it was at risk of rupture at any time, Had the RSPCA not intervened when they did, the uterus would have ruptured leaving the dog to die a slow and painful death from sepsis.
“I estimate that the symptoms were likely present for one to three days prior to diagnosis. Had this dog lived in an occupied household they would have been identified by the owner so veterinary treatment could be sought. It is unacceptable that this elderly dog was left unchecked for this time period, allowing a serious and life-threatening disease to go unnoticed.”
The court was told that tape seals on the door were still intact when Inspector Hurst visited Esen’s home again on 18 March. There was still no-one at home and Esen couldn’t be reached by phone.
After speaking to someone who knew him, Inspector Hurst eventually met him at the house and an interview was carried out. He admitted that he had not cleaned up and that he’d been away. He said he had messaged a person to provide a tin of food, although he hadn’t checked that they’d done so. He said he didn’t think that Alex was underweight.
Alex was cared for at an RSPCA rehoming centre. Sadly her health deteriorated further and she was found to have mammary tumours, and she was put to sleep on veterinary advice at the end of last year.
Speaking after the case Inspector Hurst said: “Alex was an elderly dog who was being left unattended with a life-threatening condition in an unsuitable and hazardous environment.
“Sadly, she’d been let down by her owner and not been given anything like the care and attention she should have received in her twilight years. It illustrates how important it is to ensure the needs of animals you’re responsible for are always met and why it’s crucial to seek help and advice if you’re no longer able to provide for them.”
Sentencing | 18 month community order with 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 150 hours of unpaid work; £128.60 in costs. Ten-year ban on keeping animals which cannot be contested for five years.
CONVICTED (2024) | Bryan Owens and previous offender Katrina Bernadette Elstob of 48 Fox Avenue, South Shields NE34 9RN – failed to address their pets’ health conditions and weight loss.
Elstob, who was previously banned from owning animals, and partner Bryan Owens admitted cruelty to an elderly Jack Russell called Jack and a cat named Jess. Jack was in poor bodily condition, suffering skin inflammation and dental disease and was infested with fleas, while Jess had an untreated skin condition.
RSPCA Inspector Trevor Walker visited the couple in September 2023 and was immediately concerned about the poor condition of Jack and Jess.
Jack was dehydrated after being denied water and had a number of untreated health conditions
In his witness statement he said: “I observed an aged and very lean, Jack Russell Terrier type dog, that would have been described as tri-coloured at one stage, but now appeared more yellow possibly due to a heavy flea burden and his age.
“The cat, a medium long haired brown cat appeared in better condition, but once I had picked him up I could feel the very scabby skin under his medium long haired coat.”
RSPCA Inspector Walker transported Jack and Jess to a vet for further examination.
Jess had a severe skin condition, which had not been addressed by her cruel owners
Inspector Walker continued in his witness statement: “Arriving at the door to the vet’s surgery, I noticed [Jack] was lapping the rain water that had collected on the top of the drainage cover, indicating that he was dehydrated.
“This condition was confirmed inside the consultation room when he drank from a bowl of fresh water for an entire minute, before it was removed.”
The vet said in their witness statement about Jack the dog: “There were four main concerns which included a very poor body condition score, which would have likely been present for at least a few months, a heavy flea infestation, secondary skin inflammation and severe dental disease.
“Based on the examination and the further test results; Jack had experienced unnecessary and avoidable suffering.”
Following the case, Jack and Jess were officially signed over to the care of RSPCA, where staff will now look to find them both loving new homes.
Sentencing | Elstob – ordered to pay a fine of £164, a £66 victim surcharge and £250 in costs. Owens -ordered to pay a fine of £80, a £32 victim surcharge and £250 in costs. Both were given a seven year ban on owning all animals, with no appeal for five years (expires April 2031).
CONVICTED (2024) | Paul Georgeson, born c. 1982, of Devonshire Street, South Shields NE33 5SU – for the neglect of an elderly dog found covered in fleas and scabs.
Georgeson failed to ensure veterinary treatment was provided for the 13-year-old Staffy known as Zeus, who was suffering from a skin condition and ear inflammation.
As well as neglecting to provide parasitic control, Georgeson had failed to look into Zeus’s weight loss.
The court heard that in August 2023, RSPCA Inspector Helen Nedley visited Georgeson’s property after animal welfare concerns were raised.
In a witness statement, she said: “Mr Georgeson opened the back door to the property and let the dog, Zeus, into the back yard. The dog was in poor body condition and was narrow behind the ribs.
“The dog was dirty and covered with live fleas and scabs … (he) had misshapen ears and one looked to be thickened. The dog had long claws, and was repeatedly scratching himself.”
In another witness statement, a vet who assessed Zeus – who was taken into RSPCA care – said he had a “severe flea infestation” and was “constantly shaking/scratching”. She said his skin was thickened and scabby and sore.
Zeus was treated for fleas and worms, and given anti-inflammatories to help with his itchy skin.
In mitigation, the court heard that Georgeson was overrun with animals and was struggling to cope and was no longer capable of looking after them.
Magistrates heard that he no longer had any animals and he was remorseful for Zeus’s body condition.
Sentencing | ordered to pay a total of £978 in fine and costs. Five-year disqualification order on keeping all animals (expires March 2029).
CONVICTED (2024) | John Cameron Lindop, born 20 March 2000, of 7 Albion Hill, Epworth, Doncaster DN9 1HU* but with family links to Gainsborough, and Lucy Elizabeth Melrose, born 20 June 2000, of Hawthorne Road, Ferryhill DL17 9DP but originally from Gateshead – killed and burned a puppy and abused other animals in a campaign of horrific cruelty.
John Lindop and Lucy Melrose were convicted of a litany of cruelty offences against numerous animals including three dogs, one of whom was sadistically killed by one or both defendants, a chicken and a Shetland pony
John Lindop and Lucy Melrose committed a series of sickening offences against defenceless animals. These included killing a puppy and burning the remains, beating a second dog, riding a small lame pony, and setting a dog on a chicken while filming the carnage.
At the time the pair lived together in a flat in Fifth Street, Horden, County Durham.
It was said in court that the pair were in a tempestuous relationship and took out their frustrations on their pets.
Lurcher Max, who was described as subdued and withdrawn, had suffered injuries to his abdomen. He required treatment by the PDSA for muscular damage and other injuries
They appeared at Durham Crown Court on Friday 16 February 2024 and were given suspended prison sentences.
The crimes came to light following an RSPCA investigation led by Inspector Clare Wilson, which spanned two years and involved multiple animals.
The charity was first alerted to the couple in February 2022 when a member of the public contacted the RSPCA after bringing Max, a lurcher they had recently rehomed, into the PDSA Gateshead with injuries to his abdomen, and blood in his urine.
Inspector Clare Wilson said: “Max was very subdued and withdrawn, he was hanging his head and was attached to drips when I first saw him.
“I immediately noticed that his muzzle was very swollen as was his right side near his shoulder. There was blood visible in the white of his right eye too. I was told that he had been weeing blood.
“There was bruising visible on his abdomen and sheath and there were blood marks on his legs and I saw old scars on his rear legs near his feet. His nails were not scuffed as we would expect if he had been hit by a car so the vet told me that they thought he had been beaten or kicked.”
The member of the public who brought the dog into the vets had rehomed him from Melrose and Lindop the day before and she had brought the lurcher to the vets as soon as she realised he was injured.
Tally had inflammation of an ear which should have been treated by a vet
A vet report found Max had suffered blunt force trauma injuries, brought on by physical abuse.
The report said: “Max was bleeding from both nostrils which were dripping blood. He had soft tissue swelling around his left eye and bruising on his neck. He also had visible bruising and swelling on both sides of his ribs and thighs and heavy bruising on his abdomen. The injuries suffered by Max are consistent with low energy impacts, such as kicking, being hit by fists, or thrown from a few metres down or falling down the stairs.
“Out of each of these scenarios it is my opinion that being kicked is most likely due to the placement of all his injuries. In my opinion, he has been hit or kicked to the muzzle and kicked repeatedly – possibly multiple times to his abdomen as bruising and injuries were more extensive there.”
When interviewed, Melrose claimed that Lindop had, “kicked him like a football and stamped on his head.”
It was later revealed that during the investigation, the couple had hid other dogs from the RSPCA, including a lurcher called Bambi and a German Shepherd dog called Tally.
Melrose later showed these dogs to the RSPCA’s investigating officer. Tally was underweight and her right ear was crooked and inflamed with a severe ear infection.
Durham Crown Court heard how the vet found Tally suffered due to the ear condition which would have caused irritation and pain for at least 10 days or longer.
A report stated that the person responsible for Tally had failed to seek veterinary advice for her ear condition and therefore had failed in protecting her from pain and suffering.
During the investigation, Melrose’s phone was seized and found to contain shocking videos depicting more animal welfare offences. This included Bambi, a fawn coloured lurcher, being baited and set on a chicken. Lindop claimed Melrose was responsible for this but “accepted he found it funny at the time, but did not know if the chicken had died as he had gone to the chip shop”.
A video on Melrose’s phone showed her riding a lame Shetland pony called Dinky, who was much too small for her
A series of other videos on her phone showed Melrose riding a Shetland pony called Dinky who was struggling under the weight of carrying her and was clearly lame in one leg.
Analysis of the videos by a vet revealed: “The female was far too large for both the saddle and the pony and as a result her body overhangs the back and sides of the saddle. The female is carrying a whip in her right hand and trying to force the pony to trot forwards.”
The 16-second video showed her hitting the pony with a stick 10 times.
The pony tries to avoid having to move forward and only moves forward at a trot once she has been repeatedly smacked with the whip and this is due to the fear and pain of being hit. The mouth of the pony is often open due to her discomfort and the pony is visibly lame on the right forelimb.
Text messages between Lindop and his mother were also discovered in which Lindop asks “If a dog’s been hit and nearly dead am I not in the right to finish it off so it’s not in pain or does that mean I killed it?”.
With the reply: “She killed it, you put it out its misery but you would both get done as should have been done by a vet humanely.”
Lindop then replied to his mother: “Won’t find it now like coz burnt it (sic).”
The burned remains of Welsh herder puppy Hades were found on scrubland near a railway line in Horden, County Durham
The charred remains of Hades, a 12 week old Welsh Herder puppy, were also found close to a railway line in an area of scrubland in Hordon, Peterlee, where there were burnt patches on the ground and fragments of Hades’ bones were discovered by the RSPCA.
Lindop claimed in graphic detail that Melrose had killed him whilst Melrose told investigators that Lindop had “hung him from a door until he was brain dead.”
The prosecution said they were unable to say who killed Hades but the method of his death was “sadistic” and involved him being hung from a door and killed with a hammer.
Lindop, whom it was said in court is living with his family in Gainsborough in Lincolnshire, admitted two counts each of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal and permitting or failing to stop unnecessary suffering to a protected animal.
Melrose admitted two counts each of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal, and permitting or failing to stop unnecessary suffering to a protected animal, plus one of causing an animal fight to take place by baiting a chicken with a dog.
In mitigation, the court heard how the pair had challenging backgrounds and it was felt that rehabilitation is possible, given their young age.
Philip Morley, for Lindop, said he was, “not a sophisticated man”, having had “limited education” and is thought to suffer with an undiagnosed learning difficulty.
He said despite that, he has held down a variety of jobs and, “largely kept out of trouble”.
Mr Morley said at one stage Lindop formed a relationship with Melrose which he described as “toxic” and for which there is, now, no prospect of any reconciliation.
“It was clearly an unhealthy relationship for either party and not a good environment for those animals to be kept in.
“He’s deeply sorry and ashamed for what happened.
“The relationship got on top of him and he clearly took his eye off the ball.
“Both have now moved on and he has a new life in Gainsborough, working with his step-father in roofing and window cleaning.”
Mr Morley said, ironically, Lindop has a background of looking after animals and won a number of rosettes for training dogs in his younger days,
But he added that his client does not accept responsibility for the death of Hades, for which he has shown “genuine upset and remorse.”
Aspiring Only Fans skank Melrose shows off her tacky tattoos
Katie Spence, for Melrose, said her previous employment involved working with animals, but the entire experience of what went on during her relationship with Lindop has put her off any future involvement, regardless of the punishment and bars put on her by the court.
“She is extremely remorseful for any behaviour and wishes she had dome more than she did in these circumstances (to prevent it).”
Judge Peter Armstrong also mentioned mental health issues and commented that Lindop was now in a secure relationship with a baby on the way.
He said due to their age, their immaturity, and lack of previous offences, he was “just” able to suspend the inevitable prison sentences on both defendants.
He said, given the volatile relationship the pair were involved in, “I suspect you were taking out your frustrations on these animals in your welfare.”
He said he would not try to pinpoint who was primarily responsible for, “this catalogue of most unpleasant offending.”
Speaking about the case, RSPCA Inspector Clare Wilson, said: “This has been the most challenging case of my career so far and has been extremely distressing to investigate. It is clear that many animals suffered untold pain and mental torture at the hands of these defendants and I am immensely relieved that they will not be permitted to care for animals again for a long time.”
The RSPCA said Dinky was owned by a third party and is doing better now after recovering from her mistreatment. The dogs were brought into the care of RSPCA Felledge Animal Centre in Chester-le-Street where they have now been rehomed.
Sentencing | each were given 16-month prison sentences, suspended for two years. Both will undergo 40 days of rehabilitation and Lindop was ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work. Both were disqualified from keeping all animals for 15 years.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
CONVICTED (2023) | Stephen Peveller, born c. 1975, of Longley Street, Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 5EE – callously killed his elderly pet dog by pushing her into an icy river.
In hideous scenes captured on CCTV, Peveller cruelly threw the unnamed 12-year-old Pomeranian against railings next to the River Wear, in Sunderland, leaving her injured and struggling to get up after banging her head. As she looked to her master for help, he instead put her through the railings and pushed her over the edge of the river to her death.
Peverell was jailed at Newcastle Crown Court for causing unnecessary suffering to an animal whom he had claimed he needed for emotional support.
At around 7.40am on December 17, 2022, Peveller was observed by a Sunderland Council worker in icy conditions at Panns Bank, Sunderland, next to the River Wear.
Penny Hall, prosecuting, said: “The defendant can be seen being abusive to a small dog.
“He dragged it by the neck before throwing it towards some railings alongside a path by the River Wear. There are railings then a drop into the river beyond it.
“The dog hit the railings and fell on its back. It moves, frantically trying to get back up. The defendant tried to put it on its legs, which it eventually managed to do itself.
“The defendant then dragged the dog again before lifting it onto the other side of the railings on the edge of the path above the river. He then pushed the dog off and it went out of site, clearly going into the river.
“He then looked over the railings, looking in the river before he left the area.”
The council worker contacted police and when they spoke to Peveller, he claimed the dog had fallen into the river and suggested he was worried.
The police subsequently found the Pomeranian dead in the river.
Recorder Mark Giuliani said: “He killed the dog through his actions.
“He threw it against the railings and it’s injured and then threw the injured dog into the river.”
He added: “It was sadistic behaviour. He dragged the dog, the dog looked up to him for help and he puts it over the barrier and pushed it into the cold river.”
Sentencing Peveller to 27 months in prison, the judge told him: “You were walking along with your pet dog, a dog which in May last year you were seeking to keep in a hotel where you were living because it was your emotional support dog and you wanted to keep it despite hotel rules that pets were not allowed.
“It’s clear from the footage that even though you had injured the dog she still looked at you as her master for support.
“You did nothing to assist her, instead when she managed to get back on her feet and was clearly struggling and was clearly looking for you for support, you picked her up put her on the other side of the railings then threw her to her death into the river or the bank of the river.
“You killed your own dog callously and wickedly.”
Peveller pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to an animal.
For Peveller, Jennifer Coxon said: “There is no getting around that this was a hideous incident and there’s not much mitigation I can put forward for his behaviour given he has no memory of what he has done. It’s an awful incident in relation to a dog which was his own for some time.
“He can’t recall owning a dog himself. He is a vulnerable man and has limited intellectual functioning.”
Sentencing | 27 months’ imprisonment. Banned from owning or keeping animals for life.
CONVICTED (2023) | Michael Walker, born 18 December 1966, of Cranesville, Gateshead NE9 6SP – left his dog to suffer from a painful skin condition.
Shih Tzu/Jack Russell crossbreed Gizmo was found covered in crusty skin and scabs with large areas of his body completely devoid of fur after Michael Walker failed to provide the treatment that had been prescribed for him.
Walker admitted causing Gizmo unnecessary suffering and was disqualified from keeping dogs for five years.
The court heard how RSPCA inspector Lucy Green had made a follow up visit to Walker’s house on 10 January, 2023, after officers had previously advised him to clean up his pet’s living environment and get his skin seen by a vet.
“Gizmo’s nails were very overgrown and curling under his paws and over each other,” said inspector Green. “He had a lot of fur loss from his neck down his chin, back and legs, and his skin was crusty and scabby.
“He was on the windowsill in one of the rooms so I could see him from outside of the house. His skin looked significantly worse than the previous visit. I was told he had been scratching his back on some sharp metal under the bed and maybe that was why his skin was like it was.
“I was told he had been taken to the PDSA and I was shown a bottle of almost full shampoo and a bottle of prednisolone dated 14 November 2022 with approximately ten tablets left in the bottle.
“I rang the PDSA who informed me that the only time they had seen Gizmo was on that date and the medication should have run out around Christmas.”
Walker agreed for Gizmo to be taken and seen by a vet, and he was transported to a practice in North Tyneside later that day by the RSPCA.
Gizmo had overgrown nails in addition to extensive fur loss
An examination showed he had generalised dermatitis, a fractured lower left canine and acute diarrhoea. He was also given a body condition score of 2-3 out of 9, which a vet said was likely indicative of the fact he had not been given a suitable diet for at least six months.
In his evidence to the court, the vet who examined the dog, said: “Based on my professional opinion, it is unlikely that Gizmo was provided with a suitable environment or given a suitable diet to meet his needs. It is obvious he was given little protection from pain, suffering or disease. This suffering was avoidable.”
The court heard that Walker told the inspector he “sometimes forgot” to give Gizmo his medication. He stated he didn’t know what amount to give him, and as he didn’t want to overdose the dog, he hadn’t been following the vet’s advice.
He had previously told an RSPCA officer that he had been verbally told by a vet that Gizmo’s health issues may have been caused by mites or a grass allergy.
On another occasion a veterinary appointment was cancelled as the entire household comprising Walker, his wife Lisa Walker and two adult children had reportedly been struck down with flu.
Speaking after the case, inspector Green said: “Gizmo is a really sweet natured little dog who has really come out of his shell in his foster home.
“He looks unrecognisable now, and I’m really happy that he already has a lovely new home lined up.
“This case illustrates how important it is to get timely veterinary intervention, to follow the advice you are given, and to seek help from your vet if you have concerns or your pet’s condition is not improving.”
Sentencing costs of £180 and a victim surcharge of £80. Five-year disqualification order on keeping dogs (expires September 2028).
CONVICTED (2023) | Jan Marie Langridge, born 30 March 1987, of Noble Street, Hendon, Sunderland SR2 8LU – for causing “unimaginable” suffering to three kittens found starved to death in a shoe box.
Langridge took on a mother cat and seven kittens in April 2022 but became “overwhelmed” by the responsibility of looking after them.
Newcastle Crown Court heard when RSPCA inspectors went to Langridge’s home in September 2022 they found an “extremely smelly” attic room that was so acrid and pungent with the aroma of ammonia that the officers were “struggling to breathe”.
Inside the room they found overflowing litter boxes, surrounded by mouldy faeces, a bowl containing rusty water and empty feeding trays.
The court heard two cat in poor condition were rescued from the room before the officers searched outside.
Prosecutor Alex Bousefield told the court: “A shoe box was found which contained three deceased cats. They were all effectively rolled up into one shoe box, one on top of the other.”
Mr Bousefield said the animals’ bodies were infested with fleas and maggots and there were signs one of them had resorted to cannibalism due to desperate hunger.
The court heard the mother cat and one kitten had also died and been buried and there was no evidence about their cause of death or condition they had been in and Langridge faced no charges in relation to them.
Another kitten is believed to now be living elsewhere.
Langridge admitted causing unnecessary suffering and failing to provide for the welfare of five cats.
Shada Mellor, defending, said Langridge had a troubled childhood has undergone a psychological assessment during the court process which has identified learning difficulties.
Miss Mellor told the court: “She is a well meaning person who doesn’t recognise all of her limitations. She struggles to care for herself.
“Taking on this many cats, which she effectively did in good faith, was too overwhelming for her.”
Miss Mellor said Langridge should have sought help from the authorities but “buried her head in the sand” and added: “She is upset about what happened and very remorseful.”
Recorder Shufqat Khan told Langridge: “I struggle to imagine a more serious case in terms of harm and the suffering these five cats suffered.
“Three of them ended up dying and another two managed to be rescued.
“The suffering those cats and kittens must have endured can be described as almost unimaginable. Three starved to death.”
The recorder said the case was “gross neglect” rather than deliberate actions intended to cause suffering and that Langridge’s criminal culpability was reduced because of intellectual impairment.
Sentencing | six-month custodial, suspended for two years; rehabilitation requirements. Lifelong ban on keeping cats.
