A pair from Merseyside had been handed a suspended jail sentence and banned from holding animals for 20 years after they left their Mastiff canine, Zeus, to starve to dying.
Stephen O’Donnell and Rachel Foster had been sentenced at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court on 26 March following an RSPCA investigation which began in July 2023, when the RSPCA obtained a report of an underweight, collapsed canine of their property’s backyard.
Animal Rescue Officer (ARO) Hannah Yen, who attended the property, stated, “The garden was overgrown and only a small area by the door was accessible. Mr O’Donnell said the dog was called Zeus, he was 22 months old and was a mastiff breed. I looked in the kennel, there were flies on the dog and the dog’s body condition was poor. I could see no chest movement.”
As it grew to become clear that Zeus was lifeless, Mr O’Donnell stated he deliberate to bury him; nevertheless, Yen took the physique so it might be examined by a vet. According to ARO Yen, Mr O’Donnell advised her that “he had put the dog out in the evening and when he checked on him the next morning (25 July) he found the dog was dead”.
The rescue officer handed the case over to RSPCA Inspector Caren Goodman-James. The investigation discovered that Zeus had been left with out meals or water, and a vet examination discovered no apparent reason for dying aside from emaciation brought on by a scarcity of vitamin.
The vet report stated: “On examination, the physique was extraordinarily skinny. There had been no signs of any apparent dysfunction or accidents which might trigger dying. Regardless of the reason for extreme weight reduction, an inexpensive proprietor ought to have sought veterinary consideration for the canine in that state.
“In my opinion Zeus was suffering prior to death due to hunger, weakness and fear. The process of weight loss was chronic – muscle and fat tissue loss was present which happens when the body starts using these tissues as an emergency resource of energy in the case of prolonged hunger. I can estimate the duration for approximately two months, but likely longer.”
The pair had been each sentenced to 18 months imprisonment which was suspended for 12 months and ordered to hold out 200 hours of unpaid work in addition to 20 rehabilitation exercise requirement days every. They had been ordered to pay a £154 sufferer surcharge and had been banned from holding all animals for 20 years – which neither can attraction for 15 years.
Inspector Caren Goodman-James stated, “This was a tragic case involving the pointless dying of a poor emaciated canine. We know that occasions might be powerful with the cost of residing disaster which can imply homeowners wrestle to afford their pets however to permit a poor canine to starve because of this is extremely merciless.
“We’d urge anyone who is struggling to reach out for help from friends and family, find a pet foodbank near you, ask a charity for advice and support, and always contact a vet immediately if you have concerns for the health of your pet.”
