ANDREW DURKIN FROM DONCASTER SENTENCED FOR CRUELTY TO DOGS IN DONCASTER

In a disturbing case that has shocked the local community of Doncaster, Andrew Durkin, a resident of Doncaster, was found guilty of causing severe suffering to two of his pet dogs, Bruno and Cody. The incident, which came to light after a lengthy investigation, revealed the extent of neglect and cruelty inflicted upon these animals by their owner.

Durkin, born around 1992 and residing at 4 Farndale Road, Scawsby, Doncaster DN5 8SH, faced charges related to the neglect of his dogs, which he left in a state described by authorities as 'cruel and nasty.' The court heard that Durkin, a father of one, had failed to provide basic necessities such as food and water for his pets over an extended period, leading to their emaciated conditions.

The RSPCA initiated an investigation into the case in October 2020 after receiving a tip-off that two dogs were being kept in poor health at Durkin's former address on New Street, Doncaster. Despite attempts to contact Durkin, he failed to respond, prompting the animal welfare charity to seek police assistance to gain entry to the property. When authorities arrived, they discovered the dogs in the kitchen, which was in a deplorable state, cluttered with old pizza boxes, mouldy food, and general rubbish.

Inspector Kim Greaves described the scene: “A police officer opened the door to the kitchen and it was then that I first saw Bruno, a black crossbreed, male dog around six years old. Bruno was loose in the kitchen, and there was no bedding or water for him. He was very friendly, eager, and wagging his tail to greet us, but he was wobbly on his legs, and I could clearly see every rib. His spine and hip bones were all sticking out from his oily, flaky coat.”

Bruno’s condition was particularly alarming, as he appeared to have been starved for months. The court was also shown a photograph of Durkin with Bruno from 2017, highlighting the stark contrast in the dog’s health.

In addition to Bruno, the investigators found Cody, an Akita cross, confined in a bare wire cage at the rear of the kitchen. The cage lacked a base and contained no food or water. Durkin later explained that Cody was kept in the cage because he was destructive, but the condition of the dog was equally concerning. The vet report presented in court confirmed that both dogs had been subjected to prolonged starvation, possibly over several months. The report emphasized that any reasonable owner would have noticed the severe weight loss and sought veterinary help or increased nutrition.

The report further stated: “The owner’s failure to act has undoubtedly caused a great deal of suffering. Dogs experiencing food deprivation are likely to suffer symptoms similar to extreme hunger in humans, including shakes, anxiety, distress, weakness, and lethargy.”

Following their rescue, both Bruno and Cody received veterinary treatment and care from the RSPCA. They were eventually adopted into loving homes, where they are now safe and well cared for.

During the court proceedings, the magistrate described the case as horrifying, condemning Durkin for putting his animals into such a cruel and neglectful state. Durkin, who was unrepresented at the hearing, did not offer any mitigation but was noted to have no previous convictions and was considered to be of good character. He agreed to surrender ownership of both dogs to the RSPCA.

As part of his sentence, Durkin was ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work, pay court costs of £500, and was given an indefinite ban on keeping all animals. This ban can be appealed after at least ten years. The court’s decision underscores the seriousness of animal cruelty and the importance of animal welfare in the Doncaster area.