CAGED DOGS HAD NO FOOD AND NO WATER
Owner fined and banned from keeping animals for 10 years
A 29-YEAR-OLD has been banned from having animals for the next decade - after keeping two fleacovered and starving dogs in a small cage with no food or water.
Concerns were raised over the condition of David Bromley’s two pets after a member of the public spotted how thin they were.
The RSPCA visited Bromley’s then home on Eaton Street, in Northwood, where the true extent of the dogs’ suffering was revealed.
Along with being caged, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Buster, and crossbreed Caesar, were both so thin that all of their ribs were sticking out. They were both said to be traumatised and scratching themselves because of the fleas.
Bromley told RSPCA inspector Charlotte Melvin that he could not afford to feed the dogs and would bring back scraps of meat from the takeaway where he worked at the time. He also said that he felt remorse.
A warrant had been issued for his arrest after he failed to attend his first court hearing last year. He was arrested on November 6.
Bromley, now of Tixall Road, Stafford, appeared at North Staffordshire Justice Centre this month where he pleaded guilty to one charge of causing the unnecessary suffering of both animals between August 16 and August 30 in 2016.
In addition he admitted three charges of failing to take reasonable steps to ensure that the needs of the animals were met – namely providing drinking water, tackling their flea conditions and providing a suitable living environment.
Magistrates banned Bromley from keeping animals for 10 years and also fined him £120. In addition, the defendant must pay £300 costs and a £30 victim surcharge.
Speaking after the case Inspector Melvin revealed her first encounter with the dogs. She said: “I was really shocked at the state of the poor dogs. When I saw them in the cage they didn’t react at all, they were so depressed – there was no barking, nothing.
“They spent hours at a time in this cage, with no bedding, no food and no water.
“When the vet looked at them, they were also found to be dehydrated and it had been at least 24 hours since they’d had any water.
“They were fed at the vets and they ate the food ravenously. As they were so weak they had to be admitted to the vets for a few days for observation.”
Buster and Caesar have both made a good recovery and have since been re-homed. Inspector Melvin added: “Both dogs are really happy now and have loving new families.”
David Bromley’s two dogs – Buster, above; and Caesar, left – who were discovered in a cage at his then home in Eaton Street, Northwood. Both dogs were so thin their ribcages could be seen through their skin and both were infested with fleas. They are seen here at the vets where they were taken after being rescued by the RSPCA.