Tag Archives: West Yorkshire

Animal Abandonment, Dogs, Serial Animal Abusers

Batley, West Yorkshire: Michelle and Ethan Farrar

May 4, 2024 misanthropic Leave a comment

CONVICTED (2024) | mother and son Michelle Farrar of 122 Ealand Road, Batley WF17 8HT, and Ethan Lee Farrar of 15 Oakhill Road, Batley WF17 8JD – kept two dogs in a faeces-strewn property filled with hazards and starved and neglected one of them.

RSPCA prosecution of mother and son Michelle Farrar and Ethan Farrar from Batley, West Yorkshire - for starvation and neglect of a dog in their care. — Persistent animal abusers Michelle and Ethan Farrar were both ordered to undertake rehabilitation. The mother received a two-year ban while her son is banned from having anything to do with animals for the next five years.

The court heard that in October 2022, RSPCA Animal Rescue Officer (ARO) Rebecca Goulding visited an address in Oakhill Road, Batley, to check on the welfare of dogs living there.

Looking through the window ARO Goulding could see two Dogues de Bordeaux – an adult and a puppy. She said: “Both dogs looked in reasonable condition, and were bright, alert and active”.

There were however concerns about the animals’ living conditions with ARO Golding stating that “the stench of urine and faeces that could be smelt from outside the property, combined with the filthy windows and stained curtains suggested that conditions inside were not suitable for the dogs. The living room appeared in complete disarray and all surfaces were covered in faeces.

“When I got inside of the house, the smell of urine and faeces in the living room was overpowering”

The RSPCA was told by the property’s resident, Ethan Farrar, that the two dogs belonged to his mother Michelle Farrar, who although the legal tenant of the Oakhill Road property, lived elsewhere, in Ealand Road.

ARO Goulding advised both the mother and son that the condition of the house at Oakhill Road was unsuitable for the dogs and that improvements must be made otherwise they would have to be removed from there.

ARO Goulding made many unsuccessful attempts to visit and contact Michelle Farrar in person. When Michelle Farrar finally did return ARO Goulding’s calls, she agreed to sign the puppy – named Rain – over to the RSPCA and to move the adult dog – Storm – from the address at Oakhill Road, to the other address in Ealand Road, which provided a more suitable environment.

Farrar was warned against the dog being returned to Oakhill Road, unless significant improvements were made to that property.

A month later, ARO Goulding returned to Oakhill Road for a spot check. To her dismay she discovered that Storm was in the property’s back yard which was full of hazards and littered with faeces.

ARO Goulding warned Ethan Farrar that if Storm was found inside the property, then she would be removed.

In February 2023, RSPCA inspector Demi Hodby visited Oakhill Road for a follow up inspection, to check that Storm wasn’t being kept at the Oakhill Road house. But on arrival, she could see a now very thin Storm sitting on a faeces-covered window ledge and noticed a strong smell of faeces and urine coming from the property’s air vents.

Ethan Farrar admitted that there had been no improvements made to the condition of the property. The Farrars had once again ignored the RSPCA’s warning not to return Storm to these filthy conditions. In addition, the dog’s body condition had seriously deteriorated and she had lost a substantial amount of weight.

Inspector Hodby advised that the dog must now see a vet, that an investigation had been started and that Storm would be in RSPCA care until the investigation was concluded.

Storm was taken into the care of the RSPCA and was thoroughly examined by a vet and treatments to improve her condition were started.

Veterinarian Dr Sean Taylor, expert witness for the prosecution, reported that the evidence indicated that as well as a 3cm (1.2in) lesion on her tongue, Storm had dental disease which was causing her to experience pain. The evidence suggested that the condition had been present for some time and Storm would have suffered for a period of at least five days, but probably longer.

In addition, Dr Taylor reported that due to the house at Oakhill Road being so unhygienic and full of hazards, Storm’s needs had not been met. He added that those responsible for the welfare of this animal had failed to provide a suitable environment

RSPCA Inspector Demi Hodby said: “It was the Farrars’ legal responsibility to properly care for Storm and they failed to do this. Not only did they repeatedly ignore instructions to improve the conditions that Storm was being forced to live in, but there was also no excuse for failing to get veterinary care for her when it was abundantly clear she so desperately needed it.

“This was a sad case and Storm’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.”

Storm was later rehomed by the RSPCA, and though sadly diagnosed with cancer, had a new home for the remainder of her life.

Sentencing |
Both were given 12 month community orders with 20 days of rehabilitation; each was ordered to pay costs of £400 and £114 victim surcharge. Michelle Farrar received a two-year ban applicable to all animals (expires April 2026) while Ethan Farrar received a five-year ban (expires April 2029).

BBC News
ITV News
YorkshireLive

Animal Abandonment, Equine Abuse, Hoarders, horses and ponies, Lifers, Worst of the Worst

Sowerby Bridge, West Yorkshire: Dianne Pearson

May 2, 2024 misanthropic 1 Comment

CONVICTED (2024) | Dianne Pearson, born c. 1953, from Sowerby Bridge – for cruelty offences to 10 horses, many of whom were put to sleep.

RSPCA prosecution of Dianne Pearson from Sowerby Bridge, West Yorkshire, for cruelty to 10 horses in her care.

Concerns about Pearson’s horses were raised with the RSPCA and World Horse Welfare in April 2023, and officers went to the scene in the village of Norland, Sowerby Bridge. There they discovered 10 horses and ponies kept in cramped, dirty stables and building. Faeces and soiled bedding had built up to the extent that the horses were struggling to stand.

Some of the horses had difficulty walking due to lameness while many were suffering from dental issues and other health problems. One horse was so thirsty he drank readily from a bucket of water when offered to him.

In her witness statement, RSPCA inspector Demi Hodby said all the horses were being kept in unsuitable conditions.

“There was no ventilation and very limited lighting inside,” she said. “All the stables were piled high with bedding and faeces and it was clear they had not been mucked out in some time. The bedding inside all the stables was piled so high that most of the horses’ heads were touching the roof. There was no water inside any of the stables.”

She added: “During our visit, Pearson admitted that Bud had not been out of his stable for two years and it took her over 10 minutes to dig the muck from behind Ellie’s stable door before she could open it and get her out. It also took her some time to dig out another horse called Rio.”

Rescuers had to dig their way into some of their stables owing to the build-up of soiled bedding and faeces.

Four horses were removed that day and six the next; all were examined by an equine vet, whose witness statement said: “In my opinion the environmental conditions these horses were found in were completely and wholly unsuitable.

“Many of the stables were in complete or mostly in darkness and most had little ventilation.This meant that when some of the horses reached the boarding establishment, they found normal visual things extremely stressful, and one horse had to be medicated for this. This shows the psychological suffering caused to these horses.

“The owner failed to take steps to meet the needs of these animals, and this has caused suffering in all of the horses due to the poor and unsuitable environments, and five out of 10 of these horses due to ailments observed.”

Pearson signed six horses over to the care of the RSPCA. After the case a deprivation order was secured so the remaining four came into the charity’s care.

After the case, Ms Hodby said: “I am so pleased to see Fern, Cody, Inca and JJ are thriving with our team at RSPCA Felledge, and delighted to hear that Tilly and Finn have already found their forever homes.

“This was a really sad case to work on and to see ponies kept in such awful conditions was heartbreaking. I’d like to say thank you to our colleagues at World Horse Welfare for their assistance in the rescue and investigating. Working together with other agencies allows us to reach more horses and ponies that need our help and make a big difference to animal welfare.”

Vets made the decision to put Bling, Bud, Ellie and Rio down for health reasons.

World Horse Welfare field officer Gilly Howard said: “Having been shut in those small and dirty stables for so long, Tilly was a very nervous pony and especially difficult to catch. But our amazing team at Penny Farm Rescue and Rehoming Centre in Lancashire are working with her to gain her trust and the conclusion of this case means that she can be assessed with a view to finding her a forever home.”

Pearson’s age and her early guilty pleas were considered in mitigation, and it was agreed that although she “feels no particular remorse for the suffering occasioned to her horses”, she “does feel a sense of sadness and believes she always tried her best”.

“The defendant has come to accept that she doesn’t want any of the horses returned to her. She has no desire to keep horses in the future.”

Sentencing | 20-week suspended prison sentence for each of the four offences, to run concurrently, suspended for 12 months; 20 days of rehabilitation activity; £7,000 costs. Disqualified from owning horses, ponies, mules, donkeys and their hybrids indefinitely, with no right of appeal for 15 years.

Horse & Hound

Animal Abandonment, Cats

Wetherby, City of Leeds: Reece Glossop

April 28, 2024 misanthropic Leave a comment

CONVICTED (2024) | Reece Glossop, born c. 2000, of Wharfedale Lawns, Wetherby, Leeds LS22 6PU – abandoned two cats in an unhygienic flat littered with faeces and hazards.

RSPCA prosecution of Reece Glossop from Wetherby, Leeds, who abandoned his cats for 9 days

Glossop left his home over the festive season, leaving his cats Daisy and Mustafa behind for nine days to fend for themselves inside the filthy and hazardous flat.

No litter tray had been provided and RSPCA inspectors found faeces piled up on the floor which was also strewn with rubbish.

Glossop, who didn’t even have the decency to attend court for his first hearing, was found guilty in his absence of one offence under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

In a a written statement read to the court RSPCA Inspector Emma Ellis described being met with a strong smell of ammonia in the communal area outside the flat during her visit on January 11, 2023.

The inspector met Glossop at the property, and he said he was cleaning to the flat.

She asked about the welfare of the cats and he said he had left on December 24 to go to London because of family issues. He said “someone was supposed to be looking after them”.

“He said he came back on December 28 to check on the cats, but he had to return to London and then he came back again on January 6. When I asked who was looking after the cats during that time he replied, ‘they were looking after themselves’,” said the inspector.

Glossop had left food in a bowl in the living room, but there was no water.

Daisy and Mustafa were in a normal body condition, but it was later found that Mustafa had a heart murmur, which could have been caused by stress.

In mitigation, the court heard how Glossop had been diagnosed with ADHD and suffered from psychosis. He had received therapy for a personality disorder while at a psychiatric unit.

Sentencing | 12-month community order with 20 hours of unpaid work and 15 hours of “rehabilitation”; £200 costs and £114 victim surcharge. Banned from keeping animals for just three years (expires April 2027).

LeedsLive

Animal Abandonment, Dogs, Lifers, Worst of the Worst

Todmorden, West Yorkshire: Leah O’Connor

April 21, 2024 misanthropic Leave a comment

CONVICTED (2024) | Leah Mae O’Connor, born 23 June 1999, of Summerfield Road, Todmorden OL14 – left two dogs to starve to death in an abandoned property.

RSPCA prosecution of Leah O'Connor from Todmorden, West Yorkshire, who left two dogs in an empty house to starve to death. — Leah O’Connor left two dogs to starve to death in a filthy house

Bulldog Doris and Rottweiler puppy Rox were left behind when single mother Leah O’Connor moved out of a house on Melrose Street, Halifax, in February 2023.

The RSPCA were alerted after the property’s landlord discovered the abandoned pets.

In written evidence to the court, Inspector Demi Hodby said: “The property itself was full of faeces and urine.

“Where there wasn’t faeces there was rubbish and other hazards on the floor and it was difficult to move around.

“It smelt strongly of urine and faeces and it was difficult to stay inside.

“The smell caused my eyes and nose to burn.”

There was a dog cage covered with a blue blanket in the house and inside was the body of Rox.

Inspector Hodby said: “There was no food or water inside the cage and it looked as though the dog had been trying for some time to get out.”

She added: “The dog itself was in an emaciated condition.

“One of its legs was poked through the cage and wrapped around the bars.

“It was absolutely heartbreaking to think what this dog has gone through leading up to its death.”

Doris was barely alive – emaciated, shivering, and lethargic, the court heard.

She was rushed for veterinary treatment and found to be severely dehydrated, covered in fleas, and had to be carried into the room because “she was too weak to stand”.

It was found she had eaten plastic to survive.

The bulldog was there for more than a week but her condition deteriorated and she had to be put down.

The court heard O’Connor had “spun a web of lies” to neighbours and family members, telling them Doris and Rox had been rehomed to someone on a farm.

She told Inspector Hodby in an interview she had done this after leaving the address and claimed someone must have broken in, as she was not aware the dogs were there.

O’Connor had concealed the dog’s suffering and the state of the property, which she wouldn’t allow anyone to enter, before finally leaving the house and abandoning the dogs to die inside.

In mitigation, the court was told O’Connor had been diagnosed with low maturity.

She also struggled with alcohol and drug issues – which she was getting help for – as well as depression and anxiety.

The magistrates were told that the “prolonged neglect” and abandonment of the dogs by their owner for a long period of time could not be regarded as anything other than “a deliberate act, perhaps short of sadistic behaviour”.

O’Connor pleaded guilty to two counts of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal and was ordered to undertake rehabilitation activities.

Speaking after the case, Inspector Hodby said: “The sight of Rox, who had wasted away in that filthy cage, unable to escape, is something that will stay with me, and those who discovered her, for a long time.

“Along with Doris, she’d endured unimaginable suffering over a prolonged period of time, having been abandoned and forgotten about.”

Sentencing | suspended 20-week prison sentence; 33 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days. Banned from keeping animals indefinitely.

Telegraph & Argus
YorkshireLive

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

Huddersfield, West Yorkshire: Bridget Reilly and Andrew Keating

April 13, 2024 misanthropic 4 Comments

CONVICTED (2024) | backyard breeders Bridget Reilly, born 15 October 1977, and Andrew Keating, born 11 September 1981, of 11 Brackenhall Road, Sheepridge, Huddersfield HD2 1EU – bred dogs without a licence.

Backyard breeders Bridget Reilly and Andrew Keating from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire.

Reilly and Keating pleaded guilty to breeding dogs without a licence, under Section 13 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

The case came to light when Kirklees Council Animal Health officers found evidence of the pair posting adverts for a range of breeds of puppies on various sales platforms.

Reilly pleaded guilty to 18 offences and was sentenced to two years’ community service and 15 days of rehabilitation activity.

She applied for a licence before attending court and is now a licensed dog breeder.

Keating pleaded guilty to 11 offences and was sentenced to 18 months’ community service and a further 25 days rehabilitation activity.

The outcome of the confiscation hearing will be heard in September 2024, which is when the financial penalties for the pair will be decided.

YorkshireLive
Kirklees Together

dog attack, Dogs, Lifers, Pet Profiteering, puppy farmers / traffickers, kennels, backyard breeders

Halifax, West Yorkshire: Jodie Blezard

March 24, 2024 misanthropic 8 Comments

CONVICTED (2024) | backyard breeder Jodie Leanne Blezard, born 11 September 1987, of Gladstone View, Siddal, Halifax HX3 9DH – failed to keep her dogs under control with one attacking a woman to her severe injury.

Idiot greeder Jodie Blezard from Halifax, West Yorkshire, allowed her dogs to be dangerously out of control, leading to one attacking a woman.

The victim had called to visit Jodie Blezard at her home in Halifax when she was “viciously attacked” by a Staffy crossbreed named Cally, causing blood to pour out of her neck.

As she was dragged to the floor she banged her head and was knocked unconscious.

Her wounds were so severe that they exposed her windpipe and required surgery.

The result was described at Bradford Crown Court as “significant cosmetic disfigurement” that left her voice impaired and her throat susceptible to infection.

Cally, who had recently had a litter of 11 pups, was removed along with Blezard’s other dogs. Callie was destroyed a month later.

Single mother-of-six Blezard pleaded guilty to being in charge of a dangerously out of control dog following the incident at her home on November 10, 2022.

The court heard that she had four dogs, three of whom were in the kitchen on the day of the incident, but that Cally was allowed into the living room.

The attack happened when the victim, who had been outside briefly, came back into the house and a baby gate became dislodged.

Mrs Recorder Taryn Turner said: “Very unfortunately, and in circumstances that will remain unclear, Cally attacked [the victim].”

Blezard had not seen the attack and, in an interview with police, said her animals were not dangerous. However she was “immediately remorseful” and apologised to the victim.

The court heard that Blezard had been spoken to in the past by various authorities about other dogs in her control, but that Cally had not been one of those animals.

Recorder Turner said: “You have a lot of children to look after, and it seems to me that if I were to impose an immediately effective custodial sentence today that would deprive them of their mother.

“You are truly apologetic and full of remorse for what befell [the victim] on that day when she popped in with a friend just for a chat.

“There is every reason to hope that something like this will never happen again because you don’t intend to keep dogs again.”

Sentencing | 16 months’ imprisonment suspended for two years plus 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days. Banned from keeping dogs for life.

Telegraph & Argus

dog attack, dog used as a weapon, Dogs

Castleford, West Yorkshire: Del Midgley

March 21, 2024 misanthropic 5 Comments

CONVICTED (2024) | Del Alan Midgley, born c. 1969, of Robin Hood Street, Castleford WF10 4AX – used his dog as a weapon, leading to the dog being destroyed.

Violent headcase Del Midgley from Castleford, West Yorkshire - used his dog as a weapon leading to the animal being put down.

Del Midgley, who has 48 previous convictions for 164 offences, including robbery, ABH and affray, lured a man to his home to attack him with a baseball bat, then goaded his dog into attacking him.

Midgley then allowed the Staffy to attack a police officer when they turned up to arrest him. He also racially abused officers and tried to bite them himself.

He admitted a raft of offences including GBH and allowing a dangerous dog to be out of control. The unnamed dog was ordered to be put down.

The incident took place on June 30, 2023, after Midgley swung a baseball bat at the man, who then tried to grab the weapon.

The man was able to get out of the home and into the street, followed by Midgley who continued to hit him. His dog was with him, and when Midgley relented, the dog pounced and mauled the man for around 40 seconds. The man suffered a broken rib and a punctured lung from the bat attack, and lacerations to his skull and ears from the dog.

After the police were called, they found Midgley in an irate state and he tried to shut the door on the officers, but they were able to force their way inside. The court was told that Midgley allowed the dog to intimidate the officers who had to withdraw, but not before he jumped at one officer and sank his teeth into her arm with such ferocity it left the muscle exposed.

Midgley was Tasered and brought under control, but after claiming he had a heart condition, the officers took him to hospital. However, he continued to struggle and be abusive. He racially abused two officers who had to restrain him when he tried to bite them. Finally, he urinated in the police van.

Held on remand since his arrest, he admitted section 20 GBH, two counts of being a a person with a dangerous dog that caused serious injury and two of racially-aggravated harassment.

An order was made to have the dog put down and Midgley was given a 17-year ban from keeping animals.

Mitigating, Chloe Hudson said that Midgley did not object to the dog being euthanised.

She said that on the day of the attack, Midgley had been drinking heavily and in relation to the dog, she added: “It was clearly very loyal and he [Midgley] should have intervened. He is beginning to realise that offending of this type will just end up in further custodial sentences.

She said of the relationship with the victim: “There’s a long history of knowing one another and there’s not always been a mutual liking, but it does not excuse what went on, it should not have happened.” Miss Hudson said Midgley was having drug counselling in prison and was enrolling in courses to better himself.

The judge, Recorder Marco Giuliani, jailed him for 45 months, and activated an additional two months of a suspended sentences he was on at the time for a driving matter.

Sentencing | 47-month custodial for non-animal welfare offences. Destruction order for the dog which Midgley didn’t object to. Banned from keeping animals for 17 years.

Yorkshire Evening Post

Cats, Lifers, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers, Worst of the Worst

Heywood, Greater Manchester: Robert Lay

March 2, 2024 misanthropic 3 Comments

CONVICTED (2024) | Robert Lay, born c. 1991, from Heywood, Rochdale – killed a cat in a washing machine.

Cat killer Robert Lay from Heywood, Rochdale, Greater Manchester.

Lay put the cat, called Buddy, into the washing machine then switched it onto a wash cycle. He then dumped the animal’s horrifically injured body behind a bush in a cemetery.

In court Lay pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to an animal on or around February 11, 2023, at an address in the Queensbury area of Bradford.

Phillip Brown, prosecuting on behalf of the RSPCA, said the facts show an individual had committed a “sadistic act of cruelty”.

In a statement, the RSPCA said they were alerted to Buddy’s killing after Lay admitted to it in a Facebook chat group.

Messages showed Lay had said he had committed the act because the cat had scratched him and his girlfriend at the time had told him to do so or else she would end their relationship.

After the cat’s body was discovered, he was taken to a vet who was able to find the owner through the cat’s microchip.

The RSPCA said: “The court heard that a post mortem examination showed Buddy had a number of injuries, including fractures, bruising and skin lacerations consistent with being placed in a washing machine on a high heat.”

An expert vet’s witness statement, presented to the court, said Buddy had attempted to grip onto the drum with his claws as it was going around on a program ‘likely of high heat’ in the washing machine.

It said: “The cat would have experienced suffering via mechanisms of fear, distress and pain for a period of at least several minutes, possibly longer.

The court was told Lay had associated with a group while living in alternative accommodation to where he is now.

In mitigation, Lay’s lawyer claimed the group took advantage of his client’s significant disabilities.

Speaking after a sentencing hearing, RSPCA Inspector Natalie Taylor, who investigated the case, said: “This was a deeply distressing case involving intentional harm and cruelty to a defenceless cat. It is heart-breaking to think about the pain and suffering Buddy endured.

“We are grateful to the people who worked with us on getting this case to court.”

Sentencing | 14-week custodial suspended for 12 months; 30 days of rehabilitation activity; ordered to pay a total of £550. Banned from keeping any animal as a pet for life.

Manchester Evening News
Telegraph & Argus

Dogs, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers, Worst of the Worst

East Bowling, City of Bradford: Brian Hughes

February 17, 2024 misanthropic 2 Comments

CONVICTED (2024) | Brian Hughes, born 27 September 1982, of 69 Lister Avenue, East Bowling, Bradford BD4 7QR- beat a German Shepherd with a broom causing injuries so severe the dog lost a leg.

RSPCA prosecution of violent dog abuser Brian Hughes from East Bowling. Bradford.

Hughes was found guilty after a trial in a prosecution case brought by the RSPCA.

Caesar's leg was broken beyond repair after enduring a brutal beating by his owner, Brian Hughes from Bradford. — Caesar’s leg was broken beyond repair after enduring a brutal beating by his owner, Brian Hughes

The court heard that the dog – a German Shepherd-type called Caesar – was taken to a vets by a member of the public on September 8, 2022, after he was found tied to a fence.

The examining vet said in a written statement: “[The member of the public] worried that he (the dog) was going to be killed if left with his owner.

“Caesar was carried into the surgery unable to walk. On arrival he was unable to stand, however, he could do so with support though he tired easily.”

Due to concerns for his welfare, Caesar was handed over to the RSPCA, who began an investigation.

A second vet examination confirmed that Caesar had a broken leg, which later had to be amputated.

The vet’s statement said: “[Hughes] describes being bitten by the dog when trying to remove him from his bed. A sustained attack by the dog is described – during which the owner admits to having beaten the dog with a brush handle over the head and possibly the back, before then tying the dog to a gate.

“Blunt trauma such as that described would be a consistent finding with the injuries and bruising noted in the initial witness statement around the neck (from being tied to a gate forcefully) and being beaten with the broom on the body.

“The fracture and the significant amounts of fresh bruising present on both hind limbs would be consistent with a severe blunt force trauma – likely from ‘in front’ of the dog.

“The fractured limb has likely taken the main impact, with the other limb bruising as a result of more minor contact from the same blow.”

They added: “I would also suggest that it is very unlikely for this dog to have reacted in such an aggressive manner towards the owner solely as a result of being in pain when trying to be moved.”

“Whilst in my care, in an unfamiliar veterinary environment, despite being in considerable pain and discomfort, the dog at no stage showed any signs of aggression, even upon manipulation and examination of the affected limb.”

During sentencing, the judge told Hughes he was “not fit to be near animals”.

Inspector Jo Hartley, who investigated for the RSPCA, said: “Caesar was in a bad way when he arrived in our care and he had been so badly injured that he needed his leg amputated. Thankfully, he has made an amazing recovery and has been happily rehomed.

“We’re really grateful to everyone who helped in our investigation.

Caesar has now got a second chance at life and he is a happy boy now.”

Sentencing | two-year custodial. 15-year ban on keeping animals.

Telegraph & Argus

Dogs

Brighouse, West Yorkshire: Jade Taylor and Matthew ‘Boop’ Drake

February 15, 2024 misanthropic 2 Comments

CONVICTED (2024) | Jade Taylor, born c. 1996, and Matthew Drake aka Boop Drake, born 23 January 1992, both of Brooklyn Terrace, Brighouse HD6 2PF – did nothing to help their poorly dog who died as a result of their neglect.

RSPCA prosecution of animal abusers Matthew Drake aka Boop Drake and partner Jade Taylor from Brighouse, West Yorkshire. — Boop Drake and Jade Taylor failed to provide vet treatment for their 10-year-old dog’s flea infestation, which caused an allergic skin reaction .

Jade Taylor and the ridiculously monikered Boop Drake failed to seek veterinary treatment for their ten-year-old Staffordshire bulldog Misha.

She had a flea infestation which caused a severe allergic skin reaction so bad she ended up being put to sleep because of “self trauma from her chewing and scratching at her skin”.

The couple pleaded guilty to one charge of causing unnecessary suffering to the dog under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

RSPCA inspector Adam Dickinson went to the couple’s home on September 17, 2023, to investigate after being tipped off by a member of the public. He found Misha suffering from a serious skin condition, which included skin reddening and open scratch wounds.

The inspector said in a statement presented to the court: “Misha had a lot of missing fur and her skin was tough and wrinkly. It looked quite pink with numerous areas showing fresh blood. She was running around in the yard, frequently scratching her skin.”

Misha was taken to the RSPCA Greater Manchester Animal Hospital where she underwent antibiotic and steroid treatment.

A vet at the hospital said she was extremely itchy, which led to “self trauma from her chewing and scratching at her skin” which was so damaged, it looked like ‘elephant skin’.

After signs of showing an improvement in her condition, Misha developed a gastro-intestinal bleed, which is a potential side effect of steroid treatment.

Despite the withdrawal of the steroids and treatment with gastroprotectants, her condition worsened and it was decided the best course of action to end her suffering was to put her to sleep.

The court heard the defendants had not taken the dog to see a vet since 2019.

The vet stated: “It should have been clearly evident to the owner that Misha required veterinary assessment and care. She was frequently scratching and chewing at herself which again would be easily noticeable.

“Skin issues were flagged up by the owners’ veterinary surgeon in 2015 and 2019, but the dog was not presented to a vets again after this date. A reasonable owner would have sought veterinary care on seeing their pet with these symptoms.”

The court heard that Boop Drake was receiving therapy for “mental health issues”, while Jade Taylor apparently needed to support her sister, who was a full-time carer for her mother.

Sentencing | 12-month community order with 10 days of rehabilitation; each must pay a victim surcharge of £114 and court costs of £400. Banned from keeping animals for five years (expires February 2029).

YorkshireLive
Telegraph & Argus

UK Animal Cruelty Files