A man and woman living in Grimsby, formerly living in Nottingham, have been disqualified from owning any animals for ten years. It comes after pair was sentenced at Birmingham Magistrates Court on October 30.
Jack Lewis Elshaw, 27, of Winchester Avenue, and Chelsea Scott Owens, 22, of Willingham Street, cannot appeal the ten year ban for five years. The pair pleaded guilty to two offences after failing to meet the needs of JJ, a male Doberman. They failed to adequately investigate and address his weight loss and poor body condition, and provide adequate professional veterinary care for his eye condition.
The court heard that in March 2024, an RSPCA Inspector Katie Burris and Animal Rescue Officer (ARO) Karen Nix investigated a complaint regarding a Doberman dog called JJ. The complaint included an alleged eye condition after it is reported that previous welfare notices left by other RSPCA officers had not been complied with.
According to the RSPCA, during her visit to the property, Inspector Burris was shown into the bathroom by Owens, where JJ was tied in an empty bath. In a witness statement, she said that JJ was visually impaired, had discharge from both eyes, and appeared thin.
She said: "I was quite shocked to see a dog tied up like that. He had no access to a comfortable laying area and I don't think he would have been able to lie down properly in the bath and it looked as if he was at risk of choking himself."
Owens consented to JJ being taken to a local vet for examination, who confirmed the dog's needs had not been met. In their witness statement, they described his ribs, hip bones and spine as 'prominent' and that JJ's eye condition was causing 'irritation and pain.'
Owens and Elshaw signed JJ over into the care of the RSPCA, but sadly his condition deteriorated. Despite the best efforts of a veterinary team, it was later discovered JJ had developed abdominal disease and he was put to sleep.
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In mitigation, the court heard that both accepted the care provided was inadequate, but not deliberately cruel. It was said that both had experienced their own personal difficulties.
Elshaw was sentenced to a two year community order, including 140 hours of unpaid work and is required to attend 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days. Owens was sentenced to an 18 month community order requiring her to attend 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days. She was also ordered to pay a fine of £120, the RSPCA said.
After sentencing, RSPCA Inspector Burris said: "It was incredibly sad to see JJ being kept in such conditions. He was such a lovely dog. We know that many people are concerned about costs of veterinary treatment and pet food - and more than 12,000 people a month - approximately 16 every hour - visit the RSPCA website for advice on vet care costs.
"But mistreating an animal is never the answer. We have practical advice on our website specifically about vet care costs and would encourage anyone who is struggling to visit and take action, rather than delay."