CONVICTED (2019) | Tom Bolton, born c. 1995, and Mathew Stubbs, born c. 1999, both of Broomhill Street, Tunstall, Stoke-on-Trent ST6 – for neglect and violent mistreatment of three dogs in their care.

Thomas Bolton and Mathew Stubbs faced charges relating to their treatment of three Staffordshire Bull Terriers – Teig, Bobo and Tyson – while they lived in Bradford.

The court heard Bolton was the owner of the dogs, but Stubbs was jointly responsible for them, and a series of visits and incidents were tracked.

On the first visit, to a property on Rand Street, Shearbridge, on October 11, 2018, the RSPCA inspector was told there were two dogs in the house. Teig was kept in the cellar while another had the run of the rest of the house.

When the inspector found Teig, the dog was said to be “excited” at getting attention. The inspector noted a strong smell of ammonia and piles of faecal matter.

An Animal Welfare Assessment form was issued and the inspector told the defendants Teig should be integrated with the other dog, or should be signed over so he could receive the care he needed. At this point, the inspector had not been told there was a third dog in the house.

Another visit took place a week later, but the matter came to a head on January 24, 2019, after a further report about the conditions the dogs were living in.

The court heard a veterinary surgeon had issued a certificate to say the three dogs were likely to suffer if their circumstances did not change.
The tempers of both Bolton and Stubbs rose at this visit and the dogs were removed and were taken for an assessment.

The dogs were found to have long claws and soft paws – a sign of not being walked regularly – while Tyson was said to flinch when touched. His behaviour was that of a dog which was fearful of people and loud noises.

The court also heard evidence provided by a former partner of Bolton, who lived with him on Rand Street between September and December 2018.

She touched on a number of issues regarding how the dogs were kept and treated, with Stubbs said to be the disciplinarian who would take his bad mood out on the dogs. It was said he grabbed Tyson by both sides of his face, lifted him off the floor, screamed in his face and threw him on to a bed.

Evidence was heard from an animal behaviourist who highlighted Tyson’s extreme anxiety and fear.

Sentencing:
Stubbs – jailed for 10 weeks, suspended for 24 months; costs of £260. 10-year ban on keeping animals.
Bolton – 12-month community order; Rehabilitation Activity Requirement; costs of £260. Indefinitely disqualified from owning or being responsible for any animal.

Telegraph and Argus