CONVICTED (2016) | Shaun Peckham, born 30 May 1968, of Anscombe Close, Worthing BN11 5EW – prosecuted for animal cruelty after his two starving dogs were found roaming the streets
Shaun Peckham was traced after his Rottweiler called Kaiser and Labrador called Biscuit were found by passersby roaming the streets near his home.
The dogs were not chipped and were taken to be examined by a vet who said both pups were starving and that this was a case of cruelty.
The welfare team at Worthing District Council posted pictures of the dogs to their Facebook page, appealing for the owner to come forward.
Concerned residents gave up Peckham to the team and the police visited his property on December 22, 2014.
Two other dogs were found, but they were in healthy condition, and Peckham told the team Biscuit and Kaiser had in fact been stolen from him eight days before they were found.
He was interviewed under caution and said Kaiser was owned by his son, Lloyd Peckham, but that he was responsible for the dog and that his son lived elsewhere. He accepted that Biscuit belonged to him.
He once again said the dogs had been stolen but had not reported it to the police, also telling them “Biscuit had always been thin”.
The council’s dog wardens then received an expert report which said the state of the dogs was the result of a “prolonged period of inadequate or inappropriate nutrition”.
It would have taken the dogs eight weeks to reach the state they were in and so Peckham was taken to court where he pleaded guilty to charges under the Animal Welfare Act.
Sentencing: 12-month community order, 150 hours of unpaid work; ordered to have his two other dogs rehomed. Disqualified from keeping pets for five years (expired January 2021).