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Andrew Durkin, aged 32, of Farndale Road, Doncaster, was sentenced on Tuesday 9 April at Doncaster Magistrates’ Court for inflicting pointless struggling to his two dogs, Bruno and Cody.
A vet described the dogs as having been “starved” – however happily they’ve since each been efficiently rehomed by the RSPCA.
The RSPCA investigated after being alerted in October 2020 that there have been two skinny dogs residing at a property in New Street, Doncaster, the place the proprietor was residing on the time.
After making an attempt to pay money for the house owners on a number of events, the RSPCA enlisted the assistance of the police to enter the property and execute a warrant. Both dogs had been being saved within the kitchen – with the ground lined in empty packages and pizza takeaway containers whereas mouldy foods and drinks and basic family waste was protecting the counters.
Inspector Kim Greaves stated: “A police officer opened the door to the kitchen and it was then that I first saw Bruno, a black crossbreed, male dog around six years old.
“Bruno was loose in the kitchen, and there was no bedding or water for him. There was a large swing bin type container, and when I looked inside there was a small amount of dry complete dog food which Durkin confirmed this was the food he normally fed the dogs. Bruno was very friendly, eager and wagging his tail to greet us, but he was wobbly on his legs, and I could clearly see every rib. His spine and hip bones were all sticking up clearly from his fur which was oily with dry skin flakes all over his coat.
“At the very back of the kitchen, there was a dog crate but the crate had no base to it, just bare wires. Inside the crate was another dog, Cody, a tan and white Akita cross, also around six years old. There was no water or food inside the crate for Cody. Mr Durkin explained that the only reason Cody was in the crate was because ‘he was destructive’. When he was released from the crate, he too was clearly underweight.”
The dogs had been seized by police and placed into the RSPCA’s care the place they had been instantly taken to a vet.
The court docket heard how the vet report said: ‘It is my belief that these dogs were starved…Any reasonable owner looking at these dogs must have noticed the advanced weight loss and either sought veterinary attention or increased their nutrition. The owner’s failure to act has undoubtedly caused a great deal of suffering in this case. Dogs experiencing food deprivation are likely to experience this in a similar way to people who suffer with extreme hunger, shakes, anxiety, distress and weakness and lethargy.
“It is my opinion that due to the shocking neglect or inaction of their owner both dogs suffered starvation for an extended period of weeks to months. It should have been apparent to anyone interacting with these dogs that they were starving – they felt and looked very obviously bony and underweight.”
In sentencing remarks, the case was described as horrifying to put animals ‘into such a cruel and nasty state’.
Durkin was unrepresented and didn’t supply any mitigation, nevertheless, within the sentencing remarks it was stated had no earlier convictions, was of excellent character, and must be given credit score for his responsible plea. He had additionally signed over each Bruno and Cody to the RSPCA.
Durkin was sentenced to an indefinite ban on conserving all animals – which can’t be appealed for no less than 10 years. He was additionally given a neighborhood order which implies he can be required to hold out 200 hours of unpaid work. He was additionally ordered to pay a £95 sufferer surcharge and £400 in prices.
Both dogs had been rehabilitated by the RSPCA and at the moment are in loving without end properties.
