A man from Newcastle has been given a suspended prison sentence and banned from keeping animals for ten years after neglecting two dogs who were found in poor condition.
Kyle Young was sentenced at Peterlee Magistrates Court on 4 March following an investigation and prosecution by the RSPCA. He received a 16-week custodial sentence, suspended for 18 months, and was disqualified from keeping animals for ten years.
Young had previously pleaded guilty to three offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006. Magistrates also ordered him to complete 151 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days, undertake a six-month drug treatment programme and pay £300 costs along with a £154 victim surcharge.
The court heard that RSPCA Inspector Rowena Proctor attended an address on Hanover Crescent in Shotton Colliery on 15 March last year after reports that dogs had been left unattended at the property.
There was no response at the house and a police notice on the door indicated the locks had been changed. Looking through patio doors, the inspector saw an Akita-type dog who appeared extremely thin and had visible patches of fur loss.
Inspector Proctor was told the property had been petrol bombed three days earlier and that the occupants had not returned. Police helped gain access to the house and the dog, an older female Akita called Peppa, was taken into possession because of concerns for her welfare and transported for veterinary treatment.
In written evidence to the court, Inspector Proctor said, “Peppa was very thin, her spine, ribs and pelvis were felt with ease and she had thick scabbing down her rear end and tail with more scarring and scabs down all four of her legs.”
During the investigation, the charity received footage appearing to show a man attempting to throw Peppa over a six-foot fence
“She seemed to be a really gentle dog, she was easy to handle and managed to hop straight into the kennel in my van which was a big relief as I was so concerned she would struggle due to her terrible body condition.”
During the investigation, the charity received footage appearing to show a man attempting to throw Peppa over a six-foot fence. The dog was heard making fearful noises and was seen falling to the ground before being struck twice and crying out. Young later told investigators he had hit the dog because she had bared her teeth.
Veterinary evidence showed Peppa was suffering from severe skin damage and a secondary bacterial infection that required several weeks of antibiotic treatment. The vet stated that the dog had experienced unnecessary suffering for at least one month because veterinary care had not been sought.
The court also heard about a separate incident several months earlier involving an adult French bulldog called Nala, who had been signed into RSPCA care from the same address. Young claimed he had taken her in as a stray.
Nala weighed 10.05kgs (22.15lbs) and was given a body condition score of two out of nine. A large pendulous mass was hanging from the left side of her vulva and no veterinary treatment had been sought. The examining vet concluded she had also suffered unnecessarily for at least one month.
In mitigation, the court heard that Young was a drug addict and had acknowledged that he could have made different decisions regarding the dogs which would have had more positive outcomes.
Peppa was initially cared for at a private boarding facility on behalf of the RSPCA. She later recovered and was successfully rehomed by the charity’s Halifax, Huddersfield & Bradford Branch.
Despite receiving treatment, Nala’s health did not improve and she was later put to sleep on veterinary advice to prevent further suffering. A third dog, not subject to any charges, was signed over by Young and has also been rehomed.
Following sentencing, Inspector Proctor said, “Both dogs were suffering from serious health issues as a result of Young’s prolonged neglect and negligence. Peppa had also been subjected to needless physical violence by him which had left her terrified.
“I’d like to thank the police and the people who assisted us with this investigation and to the team at our Halifax, Huddersfield & Bradford Branch who helped with Peppa’s rehabilitation and found her a wonderful and much-deserved new home.”
