ANYA SHEARS AND TYLER THORNTON HORRIFIC ANIMAL NEGLECT IN PENRITH
| Red Rose Database
Penrith Animal Abuser
In a disturbing case of animal cruelty, Anya Elizabeth Shears, born around 2001, and Tyler Kevin Guy Thornton, born on April 10, 1999, both residents of Carleton Hall Walk, Penrith CA10 2AJ, faced serious allegations related to the severe neglect and starvation of a large breed dog. The incident came to light on June 24, 2024, when local police officers responded to a distress call at the couple's residence.
Upon arrival, officers discovered a heartbreaking scene: a large dog, visibly emaciated and in a dire state of health, was confined to a single downstairs room. The couple’s living quarters were stark and unkempt, with bare flooring and a dog’s bed that was torn and devoid of any stuffing. The floor was covered in dog feces, indicating a neglectful environment. The dog had clearly not been provided with adequate nutrition or proper care for some time.
Shears and Thornton were promptly taken into custody on suspicion of causing unnecessary suffering to the animal. Authorities from Cumbria police confirmed that the couple was residing upstairs in the same property, yet they failed to provide the necessary care for the dog, which was evident from the conditions in which it was kept.
Following the arrest, the dog was transported to a local kennels for examination. A veterinarian assessed the animal and found it to be in a critically poor condition. The dog was severely underweight, approaching the point of anorexia, with overgrown nails and fur that was matted and patchy. The distressing state of the dog underscored the extent of neglect it had endured.
Tragically, despite efforts to save the animal, it was euthanized in July 2024. It remains unclear whether the decision was solely due to its poor health or if the dog was of a breed that is banned under certain regulations. The case has sparked outrage within the community and among animal welfare advocates.
PC Stewart Green, a member of the Eden Neighbourhood Policing Team, expressed his condemnation of the case, stating, “This was an awful and shocking case of animal neglect. Shears and Thornton failed a dog in their care, leaving him unsocialised, unexercised, hungry, and dirty. I hope this goes to show just how seriously we take cases of animal cruelty and neglect, and we will always strive to bring offenders before the courts.”
In court, both Shears and Thornton received an eight-week custodial sentence, which was suspended for 12 months. Additionally, they were handed a five-year ban on keeping any animals, a restriction that will remain in effect until January 2030. This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of animal welfare and the consequences of neglect in the Penrith area.
Upon arrival, officers discovered a heartbreaking scene: a large dog, visibly emaciated and in a dire state of health, was confined to a single downstairs room. The couple’s living quarters were stark and unkempt, with bare flooring and a dog’s bed that was torn and devoid of any stuffing. The floor was covered in dog feces, indicating a neglectful environment. The dog had clearly not been provided with adequate nutrition or proper care for some time.
Shears and Thornton were promptly taken into custody on suspicion of causing unnecessary suffering to the animal. Authorities from Cumbria police confirmed that the couple was residing upstairs in the same property, yet they failed to provide the necessary care for the dog, which was evident from the conditions in which it was kept.
Following the arrest, the dog was transported to a local kennels for examination. A veterinarian assessed the animal and found it to be in a critically poor condition. The dog was severely underweight, approaching the point of anorexia, with overgrown nails and fur that was matted and patchy. The distressing state of the dog underscored the extent of neglect it had endured.
Tragically, despite efforts to save the animal, it was euthanized in July 2024. It remains unclear whether the decision was solely due to its poor health or if the dog was of a breed that is banned under certain regulations. The case has sparked outrage within the community and among animal welfare advocates.
PC Stewart Green, a member of the Eden Neighbourhood Policing Team, expressed his condemnation of the case, stating, “This was an awful and shocking case of animal neglect. Shears and Thornton failed a dog in their care, leaving him unsocialised, unexercised, hungry, and dirty. I hope this goes to show just how seriously we take cases of animal cruelty and neglect, and we will always strive to bring offenders before the courts.”
In court, both Shears and Thornton received an eight-week custodial sentence, which was suspended for 12 months. Additionally, they were handed a five-year ban on keeping any animals, a restriction that will remain in effect until January 2030. This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of animal welfare and the consequences of neglect in the Penrith area.