CONVICTED (2024) | Peter Shelley, born c. 1977, of Warbreck Avenue, Walton, Liverpool L9 8DJ – failed to treat a pocket bully puppy with a skin condition, bilateral ear infection and vaginal prolapse.
Shelley, previously of Shrewsbury Road, Prenton, the Wirral, had denied causing unnecessary suffering and failing to meet the dog’s needs, but was found guilty at a trial.
The dog, a young pocket bully called Peggy who was only a puppy at the time, had multiple health conditions when she was found at the Prenton flat on April 23 2023.
The court heard how police officers had gone to the flat to carry out a welfare check on Peggy after Shelley was taken into custody.
Officers alerted the RSPCA with concerns about the dog’s condition after noticing bloodied bedding in her crate.
In his evidence to the court, RSPCA Inspector Anthony Joynes, who responded to the incident, said: “The dog had been seized by officers and I advised that she should be taken urgently to a vet for assessment.
“I attended the flat at Shrewsbury Road. There was no response and no access through the side gate so I left a calling card requesting that the owner/person responsible for the dog respond.
“I made arrangements for a colleague to collect the dog the following day and transport her to the RSPCA’s Greater Manchester Animal Hospital for further assessment and treatment.”
The first vet who examined Peggy on April 23 said she had a low body condition score, inflamed, crusting dermatitis affecting her ears, chin, eyelids and chest, a bilateral infection of both ear canals and a vaginal prolapse.
In written evidence to the court, she said: “In my professional opinion I believe that the conditions had been present for a duration of longer than three weeks.
“I do not believe any treatment was being administered to this patient and no professional help had been sought for the vaginal prolapse.”
A second vet who examined Peggy at the RSPCA’s Greater Manchester Animal Hospital on 24 April diagnosed an ulcerated vaginal prolapse, a bilateral ear infection and a skin allergy which had caused severe itching and alopecia.
She said: “Given the severity of Peggy’s condition on presentation, in my opinion she will have suffered for two weeks, as a minimum, likely longer”.
During the course of the RSPCA’s investigation a local charity confirmed that Peggy had been in their care on April 10, 2023, after she was found straying.
Shelley reclaimed her three days later but ignored the advice of kennel stuff to get her urgent veterinary treatment.
Shelley was interviewed and said Peggy was being well looked after. He said he didn’t think her ears were that bad, and although he could see the prolapse she seemed okay.
Peggy was initially looked after at a private boarding establishment on behalf of the RSPCA before being transferred to the charity’s Macclesfield, SE Cheshire and Buxton Branch, where she went into foster care.
She made a good recovery and in early March 2024 was adopted. She has settled well into her new home.
Speaking after the trial, Inspector Joynes said: “Peggy is such a sweet little dog and has been a favourite with all the people who have assisted in her rescue, treatment and rehoming.
“She was let down severely by her owner who should have sought veterinary care much sooner for a number of issues.
“I’d like to thank the police officers who seized Peggy on the day for going above and beyond to make sure she was safe.
“Here’s hoping she now can have a long happy life with her new family.”
Sentencing | ten-week custodial, suspended for 12 months, with a further eight weeks suspended for non-related matters. Disqualified from keeping animals for just 18 months (expires September 2025).
A nasty cruel, stinking crim .Probably hoped he could breed from her at some point. He deserves a life ban .Deliberately denied the poor dog treatment.