South Yorkshire man left his two dogs to starve to death just metres away from food
and live on Freeview channel 276
Stephen New, of Seymour Road, Maltby, pleaded guilty to one offence of unnecessary suffering to two dogs at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, November 18.
His two boxers, Bruno, who was two-years-old, and Ruby, 18 months, were both found dead and curled up together in a crate by police.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdNew was sentenced to a 12-week prison sentence, suspended for two years, and was ordered to pay £400 in costs.
He has also been disqualified from keeping any animals for life.
RSPCA inspector Vanessa Reid was called to the property on July 14 earlier this year, after officers became concerned about the welfare of the animals in the house after seeing flies at the windows.
“I arrived to find police officers had already been granted access by the owner to find the dead bodies of two boxers in a crate in the kitchen,” she said.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad“When I entered the house I could immediately smell a strong aroma that I know to be the smell of rotting dead bodies.
"The house was quite dark with all blinds closed, and had very little furniture inside.
"I had walked past several bags of dog food, some opened, some full and sealed, along with other dog items such as toys and leads.
“The kitchen was cluttered and grimey.
"On the side, there was a jar full of dog chews, a large bowl full of dog food, and a smaller bowl containing a small amount of food and some faeces.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad"In the centre of the kitchen was a large training crate containing the remains of two dogs.
“They were laid together, tucked up beside a bowl which was on its side.
"I’m not sure whether it was a food or water bowl but it had been licked clean.
"There was a layer of thick faeces in and surrounding the cage.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad"I tried to move the bodies, which had begun to decompose, and saw there were maggots present.”
The court heard how New had struggled to cope after the death of his girlfriend and failed to care for the two dogs during this period.
Vets believed the dogs had been left for up to five days with only a bowl of water and food, and expressed concern that New saw them getting weaker and thinner but still didn’t take action.
Professionals were unable to conduct a post-mortem due to the decomposition of the pets’ bodies but concluded that the dogs had died due to a lack of food and water and would have suffered greatly.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdInspector Reid added: “These poor dogs were left to starve to death inside a cage - with jars full of dog treats and open bags of food just metres away.
"New was solely responsible for those dogs and allowed them to die slowly in front of him.
"But it was clear to me that he was also suffering himself.
"When I spoke to him, he was visibly emotional and said he was sorry.”