Three lurchers found in squalid flat
A County Durham man has been banned from keeping animals for five years after three lurchers were found in his rubbish and faeces-strewn flat.
The dogs were discovered living in a bedroom after the RSPCA gained entry to the property with the help of police and the landlord. One of the dogs, named Molly, was so malnourished that the remains of a bin liner were found in her faeces.
Owner Joshua Sanderson, aged 20, was prosecuted by the RSPCA after moving out of the property in Eldon and abandoning the dogs. At a sentencing hearing on Wednesday, March 27, Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court heard how one of the charity's inspectors visited Sanderson's flat on April 6 last year.
Seals that had previously been placed on the door frame and lock by the RSPCA were still intact, suggesting nobody had entered or left the property. After speaking to local people who said no-one had been seen and dogs could no longer be heard, the police and lettings agency were called to assist.
In written evidence to the court, the inspector said: "The door was opened and the smell of ammonia was overpowering. There was faeces present at the rear of the door and on the stairs.
"On entering the main area of the flat there were no dogs present or loose and it was littered with faeces and rubbish scattered about, there was also faeces on the settee in the main room. I then opened a door to a small bedroom and found three lurcher type dogs in a small area which was again littered with faeces and like the rest of the flat the smell of urine and excrement was overpowering.
"None of the dogs had any access to food or water and the bowls that were present were overturned and all were dry."
The dogs were seized by the police as evidence and placed into the care of the RSPCA. They all drank immediately when provided with water before being taken to a vet.
All three dogs were examined by a vet and hospitalised overnight. A tan and white male lurcher was found to have wounds and cuts, while a black and tan female lurcher had inflamed eye membranes.
Molly, who was the only one microchipped, was described as emaciated. She weighed only 9.45kg (20.83lbs) and was given a body condition score of just one out of nine.
Although her microchip said she was a year up, the vet said significant tartar on her teeth indicated her age was inaccurate. She also has a number of scars but no fresh wounds.
Magistrates heard the dogs were ravenous when fed and Molly passed faeces containing a black bin liner. In his evidence, the vet said: "Molly was suffering at the time of examination as a result of malnutrition due to lack of feeding.
"The bloods indicated that this dog had normal organ function and no significant clinical condition that would be responsible for the weight loss. She gained nearly 30% in weight following adequate feeding in five weeks. In my opinion she had been caused unnecessary suffering on the grounds of inadequate nutrition for no less than six weeks."
Following enquiries, Sanderson was found to have moved to a property in Fairfield, Evenwood. He was interviewed by the RSPCA in June about what had happened to the dogs and confirmed that he had been the occupant of the flat but had moved out.
He said he owned two of the dogs and had taken Molly on from someone who wasn't looking after her properly. He confirmed conditions at the flat were poor and unsuitable for the dogs.
Sanderson admitted two charges contrary to the Animal Welfare Act 2006 at a hearing on March 5. He was given a disqualification order for five years, and a six-month community order with five rehabilitation activity requirement days for causing unnecessary suffering to Molly.
The dogs were cared for at the RSPCA's Great Ayton Animal Centre in Middlesbrough. Sadly, the black and tan female lurcher was put to sleep on professional advice for welfare and behavioural reasons, but Molly and the male lurcher have since been adopted and are enjoying life in their new homes.
Mark Gent, RSPCA chief inspector for Durham, said after the conclusion of the case: "All three dogs had been badly let down by their owner, left behind in a dirty and hazardous environment without food or water, to the extent where one of them had resorted to eating a bin liner. It was a sad case and it illustrates how important it is to ensure the needs of animals you’re responsible for are always met and to see help and advice if your circumstances change and you are no longer able to provide for them."