People have called what they consider a too lenient sentence a 'sick joke' after a dad left three dogs to starve in his flat.
In October last year, two Merseyside Police officers attended an address in Kirkby after neighbours complained about an awful smell of decay coming from the flat, as well as 'maggots' coming through the ceiling. The officers forced entry, to discover the skeletal remains of three dogs in an advanced state of decomposition.
There was no water or food bowls inside the flat, and the dogs were found lying on filthy bedding with the floor caked in faeces and the room full of flies. The stomach contents of one of the dogs, when the RSPCA later attended the flat, revealed it had resorted to cannibalism in its desperation.
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The flat's sole occupant Paul Wynne, 42, pleaded guilty to three charges regarding the treatment the animals in his care, called Blue, George and a puppy called Polly, who was found in a pool of dried blood in the kitchen. The court heard how Wynne had also changed the locks so that his partner couldn't access the flat.
When interviewed by the police he said he left the animals because he "couldn't cope with what happened".
Wynne's defence said the suffering of the animals "came from neglect instead of sadism" and mentioned how he had long suffered from depression which he had managed until now, as well as the "immense burden" he was under from caring for his partner and her mum. He also has a 13-year-old daughter who he spoke with every day.
Wynne was given a 12-month suspended sentence, and disqualified from owning an animal for a decade. He was also issued 20 rehabilitation days and 30 hours of unpaid work.
The case has caused outrage among members of the local community who said there are 'no excuses for this cruelty'.
Reacting to the story on Facebook, Joan Regan said: "Unbelivable justice system. Not one dog but three. I hope it haunts you for the rest of your life. No excuses for this cruelty."
Pam Moore said the fact Wynne got 'no prison' was a 'b****y joke', while Beverley Smith said 'the suffering of those animals is too sad to bear'. She added: "He should have got at least a year in prison."
June Thomas said: "No excuses for the cruelty them poor animals suffered."
One ECHO commenter, 'whodofthought' said: "Can't believe I'm reading this. What a pathetic excuse for a human. He should have been jailed and banned from keeping animals for life."
Another, who said they lived near Wynne's address, said: "Reading that is heartbreaking. How on Earth could you do that?Was it so hard to take them all to rescue centres? Awful, horrible man, a truly selfish lowlife."
One commenter said: "He's responsible for the death of three dogs and he gets a suspended sentence? Is this some kind of sick joke."
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