ALFRED GALLAGHER'S HORRIFIC CRUELTY IN DARLINGTON: DOG LEFT TO SUFFER IN FILTH AND STARVATION

Alfred Patrick Gallagher, born on 21 February 1999 and residing on Woodland Road in Darlington, has been convicted of a heinous act of animal cruelty involving a young Malinois named Lucy. The incident, which drew significant attention from local animal welfare authorities, centered around Gallagher’s neglectful treatment of the dog, leading to her suffering in deplorable conditions.

In March 2024, an RSPCA officer responded to a distress call at Gallagher’s address, which he shares with his wife Lucy Gallagher, a beautician born on 17 August 2001, and their children. Upon arrival, the officer reported hearing the distressed barking and crying of a dog emanating from a kennel-like structure on the property. Peering inside, the officer was confronted with a heartbreaking sight: a brown Malinois in an extremely poor physical state, living amidst filth and neglect.

The officer described the scene vividly, noting that although a bowl of dry food was present on the wall, the dog had no access to water. The kennel was filled with a foul mixture of dried white feces and moldy waste, and the entire environment reeked of urine and feces, so overpowering that it took the officer’s breath away. The enclosure was cold, littered with empty cans and a broken jar, creating a bleak and depressing atmosphere. Lucy was found cowering in a corner, visibly petrified, and forced to navigate through the filth. She had no access to clean bedding or a comfortable space to rest.

In her statement, the officer confirmed that despite the presence of a tap with running water beside the kennel, Lucy was not given any drinking water. The dog was described as very frightened and aggressive, necessitating her removal from the kennel and placement into the officer’s vehicle. She was immediately taken to a veterinarian, where she eagerly drank a full bowl of water, clearly dehydrated and in need of urgent care.

Gallagher later told the RSPCA that he was paying someone to look after Lucy but claimed he did not know where this individual lived, only that he knew him from Darlington. The veterinarian’s report revealed that Lucy, a young female Malinois, weighed only 14.5 kilograms (32 pounds) at the time of examination, significantly under the expected weight of at least 20-25 kilograms (44.1 to 55.1 pounds) for her age and breed. Blood tests showed her white blood cell count was normal, but her bloodwork indicated she was suffering from chronic stress. The vet noted that Lucy drank entire bowls of water for the first 12 hours after her rescue, highlighting her dehydration.

The veterinarian’s assessment concluded that Gallagher’s neglect had caused her unnecessary suffering through deprivation of food, water, and proper shelter. The report emphasized that her severe weight loss and deteriorating condition should have prompted immediate veterinary intervention. It was also noted that starvation is a painful process, and her emaciated state made her vulnerable to hypothermia and pressure sores due to the loss of body padding.

Gallagher faced charges of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal and neglecting her basic needs. During proceedings, he claimed that another individual was responsible for caring for Lucy, though he was unable to provide further details about this person’s whereabouts.

Despite initial improvements, Lucy’s health was still fragile. She gained weight and appeared more healthy physically, but her behavioral issues persisted. She continued to act aggressively at the private boarding kennels where she was being cared for, and despite the efforts of the staff, her severe behavioral problems led to her being euthanized.

An RSPCA spokesperson expressed their sorrow over the case, stating, “This was a sad case where this poor dog had been neglected and left in her own filth without adequate food or water for a considerable period. Lucy was understandably wary and aggressive towards people after everything she had endured. It’s a stark reminder of the physical and emotional scars that neglect can inflict on animals, and it’s heartbreaking that her story did not have a happier ending.”

In sentencing, Gallagher received a 26-week custodial sentence, suspended for 18 months. He was also ordered to pay £720 in costs and a £154 victim surcharge. Additionally, he was banned from keeping any animals for a period of 10 years, a ban that cannot be appealed for at least five years, expiring in January 2035.