ADRIAN AND DEBBIE HAWKINS FROM HUCKNALL FACE JUSTICE OVER ELDERLY DOG'S SUFFERING
| Red Rose Database
Hucknall Animal Abuser
Adrian Hawkins, born around 1965, and Debbie Hawkins, born approximately in 1966, residents of Westland Avenue in Hucknall, Nottingham NG15 6FW, have been found guilty of neglecting their elderly dog, leading to unnecessary suffering. The pair appeared before Nottingham Magistrates’ Court on August 23, 2023, where they pleaded guilty to charges related to the mistreatment of their male terrier, Archie.
According to court records, the Hawkins’ neglect was evident in their failure to seek veterinary care for Archie’s severe facial tumour. The dog, who was 16 years old at the time, had been suffering from an ulcerated, discharging tumour that affected his muzzle. This condition persisted for several months, specifically from December 2022 through February 2023, causing him significant pain and discomfort. Despite the severity of his condition, Archie had not been taken to a veterinarian for medical attention in the past seven years.
The RSPCA was alerted to the situation after Archie was brought in for euthanasia. The attending veterinarian expressed concern that the dog’s poor health, which included the large tumour and advanced dental disease with necrosis, constituted a breach of animal welfare laws. The charity was contacted after the vet’s assessment.
During the court proceedings, it was revealed that the owners were “remorseful” for their actions. The prosecution clarified that the neglect was not driven by deliberate cruelty but was a result of neglectful oversight. Adrian Hawkins claimed that he had provided Archie with round-the-clock care, including bathing his mouth, in an attempt to manage his suffering.
RSPCA inspector Pamela Bird, who examined Archie’s remains, described the dog’s condition in stark detail. She stated, “The smell of infection was overwhelming. I observed a hole in the right side of Archie’s face with pus and tissue dripping out. The skin around his nose was falling off. When I opened his mouth, I could see very few blackened teeth surrounded by foul-smelling infected tissue, oozing pus. The dog’s ribs, spine, and pelvis were sharply protruding, indicating severe underweight status. His facial fur was matted, and there was pus in his eyes. All of his claws were long and curled around. It was obvious to any reasonable person that Archie was suffering from a serious facial infection and was severely underweight.”
Further examination by a veterinarian confirmed the severity of Archie’s condition. The vet expressed feelings of disturbance upon seeing the dog, which quickly turned into sadness and frustration. They noted that Archie had endured prolonged suffering, likely for at least six weeks or more, due to the lack of medical intervention. The vet emphasized that the dog’s overall health and the progression of his facial tumour indicated neglect, with signs of pain, nausea, lethargy, and discomfort.
It was also revealed that Archie had not been taken to a vet since 2015, highlighting a long period of neglect. The vet concluded that Archie’s suffering was extensive and could have been alleviated or prevented through routine veterinary care, especially when the tumour grew and burst. The failure to seek medical help was a clear breach of animal welfare standards.
Commenting on the case, inspector Bird stressed the importance of responsible pet ownership. “We as pet owners have a responsibility to do the right thing for our animals. Sadly, this was not the case for poor Archie. A vet said his suffering could have been prevented or managed through routine healthcare at best, and at the very least, by a check-up when the mass grew and burst. It would not take any veterinary expertise to see Archie was suffering and needed urgent veterinary attention,” she said.
In sentencing, Adrian Hawkins was fined £1,723, with additional costs of £150 and a surcharge of £689. Debbie Hawkins received a fine of £320, along with costs of £150 and a surcharge of £128. Both individuals were disqualified from owning dogs for five years, a ban that will expire in September 2028. The case underscores the importance of animal welfare and the legal consequences of neglecting vulnerable pets in Hucknall and beyond.
According to court records, the Hawkins’ neglect was evident in their failure to seek veterinary care for Archie’s severe facial tumour. The dog, who was 16 years old at the time, had been suffering from an ulcerated, discharging tumour that affected his muzzle. This condition persisted for several months, specifically from December 2022 through February 2023, causing him significant pain and discomfort. Despite the severity of his condition, Archie had not been taken to a veterinarian for medical attention in the past seven years.
The RSPCA was alerted to the situation after Archie was brought in for euthanasia. The attending veterinarian expressed concern that the dog’s poor health, which included the large tumour and advanced dental disease with necrosis, constituted a breach of animal welfare laws. The charity was contacted after the vet’s assessment.
During the court proceedings, it was revealed that the owners were “remorseful” for their actions. The prosecution clarified that the neglect was not driven by deliberate cruelty but was a result of neglectful oversight. Adrian Hawkins claimed that he had provided Archie with round-the-clock care, including bathing his mouth, in an attempt to manage his suffering.
RSPCA inspector Pamela Bird, who examined Archie’s remains, described the dog’s condition in stark detail. She stated, “The smell of infection was overwhelming. I observed a hole in the right side of Archie’s face with pus and tissue dripping out. The skin around his nose was falling off. When I opened his mouth, I could see very few blackened teeth surrounded by foul-smelling infected tissue, oozing pus. The dog’s ribs, spine, and pelvis were sharply protruding, indicating severe underweight status. His facial fur was matted, and there was pus in his eyes. All of his claws were long and curled around. It was obvious to any reasonable person that Archie was suffering from a serious facial infection and was severely underweight.”
Further examination by a veterinarian confirmed the severity of Archie’s condition. The vet expressed feelings of disturbance upon seeing the dog, which quickly turned into sadness and frustration. They noted that Archie had endured prolonged suffering, likely for at least six weeks or more, due to the lack of medical intervention. The vet emphasized that the dog’s overall health and the progression of his facial tumour indicated neglect, with signs of pain, nausea, lethargy, and discomfort.
It was also revealed that Archie had not been taken to a vet since 2015, highlighting a long period of neglect. The vet concluded that Archie’s suffering was extensive and could have been alleviated or prevented through routine veterinary care, especially when the tumour grew and burst. The failure to seek medical help was a clear breach of animal welfare standards.
Commenting on the case, inspector Bird stressed the importance of responsible pet ownership. “We as pet owners have a responsibility to do the right thing for our animals. Sadly, this was not the case for poor Archie. A vet said his suffering could have been prevented or managed through routine healthcare at best, and at the very least, by a check-up when the mass grew and burst. It would not take any veterinary expertise to see Archie was suffering and needed urgent veterinary attention,” she said.
In sentencing, Adrian Hawkins was fined £1,723, with additional costs of £150 and a surcharge of £689. Debbie Hawkins received a fine of £320, along with costs of £150 and a surcharge of £128. Both individuals were disqualified from owning dogs for five years, a ban that will expire in September 2028. The case underscores the importance of animal welfare and the legal consequences of neglecting vulnerable pets in Hucknall and beyond.