ARLENE ASHCROFT'S HORRIFIC ANIMAL CRUELTY IN CHORLEY REVEALED

Arlene Barbara Ashcroft, born on August 7, 1952, and most recently residing in Harewood, Chorley PR7 1XL, has a long history of animal neglect and cruelty that has shocked the local community and animal welfare organizations alike. Her most notorious offense occurred in 2008 when she was found to be keeping eleven dogs in deplorable conditions, leading to a lifetime ban on her ability to own or care for animals. This ban was later reduced to five years after an appeal, but her violations persisted, raising serious concerns about her ongoing disregard for animal welfare.

The initial intervention by the RSPCA was prompted by reports of severe neglect at her property on Pennine Avenue, Chorley. Inspectors discovered the dogs living amidst filth, with faeces and urine covering the floors of her home. RSPCA inspector Lisa Lupson vividly described the scene, stating, “The conditions these animals were living in were absolutely shocking. There was faeces and urine all over the house. We had to put wellingtons on to go in, and of course the smell was horrendous.” She further explained that the dogs, all very young, were subjected to inhumane living conditions that caused them significant suffering and led to infections that took a long time to treat.

Despite the severity of the case, Ashcroft was due to stand trial but chose to plead guilty at the last minute. She admitted to failing to meet the needs of nine of her dogs and causing unnecessary suffering to two others. The community, particularly her neighbors, expressed relief that the dogs had been rescued and rehomed. One neighbor commented, “I never saw the dogs because they were always in the house, I’m glad something has been done to end this.” Another added, “She has had dogs taken off her before but it is about time she was banned for life. Seven dogs in a semi-detached house with a small garden is not right, and they are stuck in that house permanently.”

The cruelty was first uncovered in July 2007 when a one-year-old Shih Tzu was found tied up inside Ashcroft’s garage. The dog was underweight, prompting police to seize him. The following week, authorities rescued a German Shepherd puppy, a spaniel puppy, and a mastiff puppy, all aged 12 weeks, along with a six-month-old mastiff and a nine-month-old Shih Tzu. Further seizures occurred in September 2007, involving a German Shepherd puppy, a two-year-old Border Terrier-type, and a Jack Russell puppy.

In subsequent years, Ashcroft’s pattern of animal neglect continued. In January 2017, she was brought before the courts again after being found in possession of a rabbit. Six months later, in June 2017, she received a community order with a curfew after breaching her previous banning order by keeping a lurcher dog. The Lancashire Post reported these incidents, highlighting her ongoing issues with animal care.

Most recently, in November 2020, Ashcroft was summoned to court once more on allegations of breaching her ban by keeping a puppy and a kitten at her flat during May and June 2020. However, she failed to appear in court. Her former partner, Robert Ashcroft, aged 80 and residing on Bolton Street, Chorley, faced similar charges for participating in keeping a puppy and kitten at her address, violating his own ban imposed in 2009. Warrants were issued for both of their arrests, but no further updates have been provided at this time, leaving the case unresolved and raising ongoing concerns about their continued disregard for animal welfare laws.