A defenceless dog who was starved to death is just one of a number of horrific animal cruelty cases on Merseyside over the last year.
The ECHO reported earlier this week on the tragic case of bulldog Coco who died after being left for days at a time without food or water in a flat covered in faeces. ECHO readers were shocked and disgusted after hearing the news, branding the owners' actions as "heartless" and "unforgivable".
Here we take a look at some of the cases of animal abuse and neglect brought before our courts over the last 12 months. In each case, those responsible were banned from owning an animal for up to 12 years.
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If you need to report cruelty or an animal in distress call the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999.
Dog starved to death in one of "saddest sights" RSPCA officer had ever seen
A dog that was starved to death was described as one of the "saddest sights ever seen" by the RSPCA officer who found her body.
Married couple Leanne and Jonathan Brookshaw owned the bulldog, named Coco, who was found dead at an empty flat by a police officer. The RSPCA was called to the flat at Dorset Gardens, Birkenhead, and found the property covered in faeces and flies, along with the decomposing body of the 4.6kg puppy.
Liverpool Magistrates Court heard on Tuesday that the newly married couple moved out of Dorset Gardens to their current property in Bebington Road, Birkenhead, last year, but did not bring the eight month old puppy as they claimed it would be attacked by their other dog, Molly. Leanne Brookshaw said she had visited Dorset Gardens since moving, and saw water and biscuits but agreed the “place was a s***hole”.
A court heard that the mum of three said she thought her brother, Kyle Stephen Moore was caring for Coco, but agreed last time she checked on the animal, she was skinnier and had lost weight. She described the animal as having access to water but no food, and acting lethargic and weaker than usual.
The RSPCA confirmed that Coco had been suffering from hunger and starvation for a period of several months prior to her death.
Jonathan Brookshaw, 36, Leanne Brookshaw, 32, and Kyle Moore, 19, of Oldfield Road, Ellesmere Port, all pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to an animal, and to not taking steps to ensure its welfare needs were met.
Leanne Brookshaw and Jonathan Brookshaw were sentenced to 18 weeks imprisonment each, suspended for 12 months. They were ordered to complete 100 hours of unpaid work each, and rehabilitation activity days. Both were told to pay £500 in prosecution costs, plus a victim surcharge of £128, and were disqualified from owning an animal for five years.
Moore was charged and pleaded guilty to the same charges, but will not be sentenced until March at Wirral Magistrates Court.
Couple battered dog and put his body in locked suitcase by River Mersey
A couple who sealed their dog's body in a suitcase and dumped it on the banks of the Mersey had subjected the animal to months of abuse before it died.
Chantelle Duvall-Gregory, 20, and Christy Carl-Hewitt, 21, subjected their dog to months of abuse before dumping it on the side of the River Mersey. Liverpool Magistrates' Court heard they had punched, kicked and stamped on two year old Belgian Shepherd Snoop, who was found dead inside a bright pink locked suitcase by a dog walker near the Speke and Garston Nature Reserve on January 11 last year.
But it became clear who had dumped the body very quickly as Duvall-Gregory’s name was embossed on the side. Peter Mitchell, prosecuting, said Snoop had “extensive bruising and fractures to the ribs”, two fractured canines, and it was clear the injuries sustained were “non-accidental”.
Duvall-Gregory, of no fixed address, and Carl-Hewitt, 21, of Parkfield Road, Aigburth, both pleaded guilty to four counts of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal on November 28, 2022.
The pair pleaded guilty to inflicting blunt force trauma, physical violence and abusive behaviour on the Belgian Shepherd, to failing to provide an adequate diet, and to failing to take him to a vet when necessary. They also pleaded guilty to one count of breaching their duties as people responsible for ensuring the welfare of an animal.
Judge Hatton sentenced Duvall-Gregory to 22 weeks imprisonment suspended for 18 months, ordered her to pay a £128 victim surcharge and £450 prosecution costs.
Carl-Hewitt is currently under a community order relating to a different charge that pre-dated these offences.
Carl-Hewitt was locked up for 22 weeks . Both were handed a 10 year disqualification from owning an animal, and cannot apply to appeal this for five years.
Starving pet ate dead cat's body after owner abandoned them in 'filthy' home
Animal welfare inspectors found one cat eating another’s body after their owner abandoned them.
Leanne McConnell, 31, had left the cats, who she named “Fat S***” and “Tilly”, alone in her home for so long that one of them died of thirst and starvation. The other cat and a dog, whom she called “Chunks”, were found emaciated and distressed inside a house in Norris Green.
A vet said the animals had been allowed to suffer after McConnell left them without enough food or water. Sefton Magistrates’ Court heard in June last year that RSPCA animal inspector Anthony Joynes went round to McConnell’s house with police after members of the public voiced concern for the animals' welfare.
When he arrived at the home on Hollingbourne Road on November 14 2021 a neighbour told him they had not seen her for weeks. He managed to call the 31 year-old and she came round to the house to let him in.
Once inside, Inspector Joynes was faced with rubbish and animal faeces littering the home and a strong smell of urine. He then found one of McConnell’s cats in a filthy downstairs bathroom eating the cat that had died.
McConnell had admitted three charges of causing unnecessary suffering to protected animals and a fourth charge of failing to meet animal’s needs at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court last year.
When she pleaded guilty the court heard McConnell was suffering with mental health issues when she abandoned the animals and her case was sent to the Complex Case Court for sentencing in June last year.
McConnell, now Andrew Street, Walton, was handed a six month jail term suspended for a year and banned for keeping animals for twelve years. She must also pay a £200 fine, £400 in court costs and £447 in RSPCA medical costs.
Puppy 'miserable and sad' after owner's tireless campaign of abuse
A man from Huyton was banned from keeping animals for five years after inflicting multiple injuries on his 18 week-old puppy.
Perry Jones, 22, of Browning Close, Huyton, pleaded guilty to three animal welfare offences after his English Bull Terrier puppy Lola was found with numerous injuries consistent with blunt force trauma.
X-rays showed Lola had fractures to two legs, her hip, four ribs and her jaw had been fractured twice. Veterinary examinations concluded the injuries were caused at different times. She also had an injury to her ear when she was rescued and had a red mark on her head.
Liverpool Magistrates' Court heard on March 10 how the RSPCA were called to investigate in February 2021 following reports from a concerned member of the public about the welfare of the puppy. RSPCA inspector Lisa Lupson visited Jones’ address on February 24 2021 and found the puppy to be ‘very lethargic and quiet’.
She said: "I can only describe her as very miserable and sad."
Jones initially said Lola had on-going medical issues and that he had taken her to the vet’s two days ago. However, he then admitted that this wasn't the case and claimed she had suffered injuries when she fell down the stairs.
He later admitted to inflicting multiple injuries at court. Lisa rushed Lola to Greater Manchester Animal Hospital for urgent veterinary attention.
As well as the ban on keeping animals, which he can contest in three years, Jones was also given a Community Order for 18 months and must complete 25 Rehabilitation Activity Requirements days. He was given a 10-week curfew between 8pm and 6am and ordered to pay £1,000 costs and a £95 victim surcharge.
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