AYSHAE MARSHALL FROM SCUNTHORPE CONVICTED OVER CRUELTY TO DOG WITH RUBBER BAND AROUND MUZZLE

A woman from Scunthorpe, Ayshea Marshall, has been found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to her pet dog, Haribo, after it was revealed that she had left a tight rubber band around the animal’s muzzle for an extended period of between ten and fourteen days. The incident, which drew the attention of animal welfare authorities, highlights the neglect and cruelty that can occur within pet ownership.

According to court proceedings, Marshall, a mother of five, admitted to the charges of animal cruelty after the RSPCA presented evidence that her dog, Haribo, was suffering from a severe injury and infestation when she took him to the veterinarian in May 2014. The veterinarian examined Haribo and found a deep, chronic wound around his mouth, which was caused by the rubber band that had been wrapped around his nose twice. The band had cut through the flesh, causing significant pain and distress to the animal.

Prosecutor Rachel Taylor explained to the court that Haribo was also heavily infested with fleas at the time of the vet visit. The veterinarian had to sedate the dog to remove the fur around his nose and to treat the injury properly. The vet subsequently contacted the RSPCA, leading to an interview with Marshall, who claimed she had taken Haribo to the vet because she noticed a foul smell emanating from him. She believed the smell would resolve on its own and did not realize the extent of the injury caused by the rubber band.

During the court hearing, Marshall denied any knowledge of who had placed the rubber band on Haribo’s muzzle. She suggested that the injury might have occurred when the dog “got out a month ago,” implying she was unaware of the cause. However, the prosecution presented photographs of Haribo’s injured muzzle, emphasizing that it was unreasonable for her to claim she had failed to notice the band, given the severity of the wound.

Marshall initially refused to surrender Haribo to the RSPCA but later agreed to do so. The case also involved her ex-husband, Luke Marshall, who was prosecuted separately for his role in Haribo’s suffering. Luke received a community service order and was banned from keeping animals for five years, a ban that expired in 2020.

In sentencing, Ayshea Marshall was ordered to complete 100 hours of unpaid work and pay a total of £1,393 to cover court and RSPCA costs. Her five-year ban from keeping animals was also confirmed, underscoring the seriousness of the cruelty inflicted upon Haribo in Scunthorpe.