Decade animal ban for Sheffield man who neglected his lurchers for months – RSPCA

A South Yorkshire man who kept his dogs trapped outside in filthy and cramped conditions has been disqualified from keeping animals for ten years.

Jack Pearson, from Dinnington, failed to provide a suitable environment for the wizards who were underweight and had not been properly fed for over three months. Later, one of the dogs, four-year-old Blaze, had to have his tail amputated due to an untreated wound for which his owner had not sought veterinary treatment.

Pearson was sentenced at Sheffield Magistrates Court on June 13 after pleading guilty to two offenses against the Animal Welfare Act 2006 at an earlier hearing in May following a prosecution by the RSPCA.

The court was told RSPCA inspector Kim Greaves visited the defendant’s home on October 23 last year after the animal charity received reports that two underweight dogs were living outside in unsanitary conditions.

In his written statement to the court, Inspector Greaves said: “Both dogs were tied at separate points outside. Blaze was visibly underweight and lethargic and did not have access to a clean area to stretch as his kennel was wet and extremely dirty. It also appeared to have blood on the tip of its tail.

“Sadie was brighter in her demeanor, but because of her rough clothing, I couldn’t tell her bodily condition. Her “kennel” was a storage area with a door that was wide open to the weather and could not be closed as her enclosure was attached to the opposite fence.

“There was a black substance on the floor that I could see on her legs and paws. Water was available but the container was green with algae.

“The area was covered in faeces to such an extent that both dogs had to walk through it, there was no way they could avoid doing so and there was no evidence of food.

“The area was a narrow walkway to the back garden, it was very small to house two dogs of their size permanently. They didn’t have ‘proper’ access to the garden as there was an accumulation of car parts and metal objects blocking the driveway.”

Pearson was not there at the time but Inspector Greaves was so concerned by what he saw that he photographed the dogs and the conditions they were living in and contacted a vet who confirmed they were suffering or likely to be if their circumstances did not change.

The court was told that Inspector Greaves returned to the property with police later that day, by which time Pearson had returned and his concerns for the welfare of Blaze and Sadie were explained to him.

He said he cleaned up outside and gave the dogs fresh litter and water, denying they were thin and showing the inspector the food, before agreeing they could be taken for veterinary treatment.

Blaze weighed 23.8 kg (52.4 lb) and was given a body condition of 1/9 out of nine by the vet who examined him. He had pressure sores on his elbows and hip bones, a split tail – which was bleeding profusely – and a cut on one of his hind legs.

One-year-old Sadie was covered in a black substance consistent with either motor oil or black paint. She too had bedsores, a split tail and weighed 20.2 kg (44.5 pounds) with a body condition score of 2/9.

Both dogs were started on a course of antibiotics and pain relief and received flea and worm treatment.

In her written evidence, the vet said: “It is my opinion that both dogs suffered as a result of the owner’s failure to provide adequate shelter, nutrition and veterinary care for their split tails. Due to the low body condition scores and tail injuries, I would estimate the period of suffering to be greater than three months due to inadequate nutrition over a long period of time.”

Blaze’s tail could not be saved and was amputated the following month and successfully healed.

With the correct feeding, both dogs put on good weight. At a follow-up check on January 24, Blaze weighed 29.3 kg (64.5 pounds) and Sadie 22.5 kg (49.6 pounds).

The lurchers were cared for at the RSPCA’s Doncaster, Rotherham and District Branch rehoming center in Bawtry, where the vet said their quality of life had “improved greatly”.

A court-imposed deprivation order means the center will now be able to begin the process of finding loved ones new homes.

Pearson, who will not be able to appeal his ban for five years, was also given a 12-month community order with a requirement to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work and 15 days RAR, and told to pay £400 costs and a £114 victim surcharge.

Speaking after the case closed, Inspector Greaves said: “Blaze and Sadie lived a miserable existence at the end of a tether in dirty, damp and cramped ‘kennels’ which offered them little protection from the elements.

“The conditions were totally unsuitable for the dogs and their health and welfare suffered as a result. They have made fantastic progress at our animal center in Bawtry, the staff there have done a fantastic job and now they have a much brighter and happier future ahead of them.”