Puppy-neglect pair facing jail
FORCED to lie in its own fifth, a starved puppy was rescued from a “putrid” fly-infested dump after being neglected by her owners.
The 10-month-old husky, named Missy, was found in Ruth Lane and Lee Kiernan’s North Shields family home.
Old food was piled up on the floor and it was so high, RSPCA officer’s struggled to open the door to rescue Missy.
When they did, the puppy was so hungry she “rushed” from her cage to eat some of the leftovers.
Both Missy and a white tabby cat named Cuddles were neglected so badly their former owners have been warned they could be jailed – despite their solicitor claiming they are “unsuitable” for prison.
Friday’s sentencing heard how Kiernan told one RSCPA officer to “f*** off ” before calling them a “cocky s **** ” for trying to check on the pets’ welfare.
But they were finally saved amid chaotic scenes at their Newlyn Crescent home.
A burnt-out car was at the home, which police were called to.
Inside, there was “an overpowering smell of urine and faeces”.
“There were at least 20 flies swarming around the room,” said prosecutor Stewart Haywood.
“The smell was described by RSPCA officers as putrid.”
Eventually, they found the pets, with emaciated Missy – who was skin and bone – the worse off.
“Missy had been forced to lie in faeces,” said the prosecutor, adding her coat was stained.
“She was not only starving, but was dehydrated.”
But over the next few months, both Lane and Kiernan gave the RSPCA the “run-around”.
Rather than take responsibility, they denied owning them. Kiernan , 31, even claimed he was just a dog walker.
Eventually, they admitted three charges each – but not after racking up a £1,200 costs bill for the charity.
And while they may have to pay some of that, the court heard the duo – now of no fixed abode – would struggle to even pay for a bus to Bedlington due to their “strained financial circumstances”.
Lane, 33, already has a conviction for neglecting another dog.
But mitigating, Nigel Body claimed they were “the very last people” who should be jailed due to “the things they would learn”.
“They are an impressionable pair who were unable to cope,” he said, explaining the conditions.
“A period of custody, I don’t see how that would help them in any way.
“It is a regrettable incident, it is an awful incident.
“But these people need help. “They are clearly a couple needing the intervention of the authorities.
“They are two people unsuitable for custody.”
The duo both admitted failing to ensure Cuddles and Missy’s welfare, as well as causing unnecessary suffering to the dog.
They were due to be sentenced at South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court on Friday, but it was adjourned again as probation were unable to carry out a pre-sentence report.
They were bailed, and will learn their fate at the same court at a later date.