The crowded conditions at their home
had severely affected the dogs' wellbeing,
leaving them unable to express their natural
behaviour. None of the animals were
neutered, which could have contributed
to their aggressive behaviour. None were
vaccinated. There were no collars or leads
found in the house and the dogs did not
appear to have been walked or socialised.
On arriving at the property and while waiting
for the police to arrive RSPCA Inspector Vicki
McDonald witnessed the defendants fleeing
the scene, leaving the dogs loose in the house.
A fight broke out, and Inspector McDonald
could hear a dog inside being attacked by
others, but was powerless to intervene.
Died from injuries
When the police gained entry Inspector
McDonald found several dogs around a female
that was lying collapsed, covered in blood and
fight injuries. She carried her downstairs and
laid her on the grass in the front garden. Barely
alive, the dog struggled to breathe for a short
time, and then died in front of her.
Back inside the house the smell was
overpowering. There were faeces and rubbish
strewn underfoot and over the windowsills and
surfaces. The floorboards were soaked with
urine, with nowhere for the dogs to rest or
sleep comfortably. The internal door handles
had been removed and the doors tied shut
with cables and chain locks. The walls had been
extensively clawed down to the brickwork.
As the dogs were being removed another
fight broke out, which Inspector McDonald
and the police were able to break up.
Four dogs in total were injured during fights,
all of them in-season females. Many of the
dogs had historical scarring, likely to be the
result of previous fights.
No remorse
In interview the woman admitted all the
dogs had originated from just one pair.
She confirmed that numerous dogs had
died from fight injuries and sickness over
the years and several were buried in the
garden. The man showed no remorse and
accepted no wrongdoing.
Inspector McDonald said: "The scale of mental
suffering endured by these poor dogs has
had a lasting impact on me and those who
witnessed this appalling scene. I just hope this
case acts as a warning not to keep animals in
this manner. I sincerely hope never to come
across anything like this again.
"The reason these dogs behaved as they did
was because they were kept in those squalid,
prison-like conditions as a feral pack. The
attacked dog was a female in season - she
should never have been anywhere near all
those unneutered males."
Learning to trust
Gradually, the dogs became used to walking
on leads and learned to trust people, although
some remained fearful of strangers.
Inspector McDonald said: "I'm extremely
pleased that, after eight months with us, staff
at the RSPCA branches have been able to turn
so many of these deprived dogs around. It
is due to their hard work that they are now
ready to go on to loving new homes."
Confined in squalor
Walls had been clawed down to the brickwork.
❝ ❞
The way they were kept was madness and heartbreaking to
see. Their aggressive behaviour was simply because they didn't
know what it was like to be on a lead, out of that house.
RSPCA Inspector Vicki McDonald
Investigating officer:
RSPCA Inspector Vicki McDonald
Defendants:
Male 53, unemployed;
female 38, unemployed
Offences:
Animal Welfare Act 2006 s4 and s9
Pleas:
Guilty
Total convictions:
Eight
Sentence:
Both disqualified from keeping animals for
life; 12 weeks' imprisonment suspended for
one year; 12-week curfew order; £500 costs.
Prosecuted by:
Stock Moran Swalwell Solicitors
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