Animal ban for family who kept dog in filthy ‘cell’
THREE members of a family have been convicted after they confined their pet German Shepherd to a room ‘like a cell,’ the RSPCA said.
The pup, which spent almost all day alone in the tiny room apart from being allowed out to eat and drink, also developed an ear infection, the charity said.
Leo was found smelling of urine with matted hair after being left in a bare 5ft by 6ft room at a flat on Covert Road, Oldham.
A vet’s report said the dog spent most of the day inside the room and if the door was opened a baby gate was placed across it to prevent it leaving. After the dog was saved, it needed veterinary treatment.
Michael Newell, 31, of Shaw Road, Oldham, pleaded guilty to two offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and was disqualified from keeping animals for 10 years when he appeared at Manchester magistrates court.
Susan Stewart, 51, of Covert Road, Oldham, pleaded guilty to two offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006. She was also banned from keeping dogs for 10 years.
Her partner, Lee Stewart, 50, also of Covert Road, Oldham, admitted the same two offences. He was banned from keeping animals for life.
The RSPCA was alerted after a caller advised ‘a dog was being kept in a small room and never let out.’
When RSPCA inspectors visited the flat on November 9, 2019, Susan Stewart said Leo belonged to her son Michael, who had left him in her care after he moved in with his girlfriend. The inspectors returned to see Newell the next day when they discovered Leo’s conditions.
Inspector Daniel Tomlinson said in his witness statement: “The room had no natural light, the walls were covered in black dirt. I can only describe this room as a cell”. Inspector Danielle Jennings added: “Although Leo appeared to be in a normal condition, his coat was dense and matted and I could smell a mixture of urine and faeces. Leo’s eyes also appeared bright red and inflamed.
“No bedding was available, just a concrete floor. I closed the door leading out and was saddened to see the back of the door. Clearly Leo had been trying to scratch and bite his way out.”
Newell agreed to have Leo signed over into the care of the RSPCA and he was taken to the Greater Manchester Animal Hospital for treatment.
Newell was given a six-week curfew as part of his 12-month community sentence and told to pay £522 court costs and a victim surcharge of £90.
In mitigation, the court heard Susan Stewart was a carer for her husband and aunt. She was ordered to complete 25 days as part of her 12-month community sentence and fined £20. The magistrates ordered £512 costs against her and a victim surcharge of £90.
The court heard Lee Stewart was on medication and slept in the day, making it difficult for him to help the dog. He was fined £120 and told to pay costs of £385 and a victim surcharge of £32.