BRIAN SIMPSON'S CRUELTY IN BOLTON: EXOTIC PETS SUFFER AND DIE

In a disturbing case that has shocked the local community in Bolton, Brian Simpson, born around 1984 and residing on Pilmott Road, was found guilty of neglecting and mistreating exotic pets, leading to the tragic death of three out of four animals under his care.

In November 2023, the RSPCA received a call reporting concerns about the welfare of exotic animals kept at Simpson's property on Pilmott Road. An RSPCA Animal Rescue Officer was dispatched to investigate these allegations. Upon arrival, Simpson answered the door and allowed the officer, Alison Wilford, to inspect the premises. During the visit, she observed a distressing scene: alongside a cat and two dogs, there was a dead gecko, two live geckos, and a notably thin bearded dragon. The conditions of the reptiles were alarming; they had been left without adequate food or water, and only one of the vivariums contained a light source necessary for their well-being.

Simpson claimed that he last saw the dead gecko alive two days prior to the visit. Recognizing the severity of the situation, he signed over all the animals to the RSPCA, which then arranged for veterinary examination. The vet, Dr. Federica Fogli, reported that the two live leopard geckos and the bearded dragon were in a dire state. They were emaciated, dehydrated, and extremely cold, requiring immediate treatment with fluids and supportive feeding. Tragically, one of the leopard geckos died shortly after being examined, and the other had already succumbed by the time it was brought in.

Dr. Fogli's assessment indicated that the animals' poor condition was the result of chronic neglect and inadequate husbandry over several weeks. She explained that the level of emaciation and dehydration observed could only have developed over an extended period, and conditions such as metabolic bone disease were indicative of long-term malnutrition and neglect. The findings underscored the cruelty inflicted upon these defenseless creatures.

During the court proceedings, Simpson admitted to causing unnecessary suffering to three leopard geckos and one bearded dragon. He explained that his partner had left him five weeks earlier, and he had pleaded with her to take the animals, as he felt unable to care for them. Despite this, the court found that it was Simpson's legal responsibility to ensure proper care for his pets, and his failure to do so was a clear breach of animal welfare laws.

On Monday, June 3, 2024, Bolton Magistrates' Court sentenced Simpson to a £200 fine and an £80 victim surcharge. Additionally, he received a five-year ban on keeping any animals as pets, a restriction that will remain in effect until June 2029. The RSPCA emphasized that the suffering of the animals could have been prevented had Simpson sought help or acted responsibly. The charity continues to advocate for responsible pet ownership and urges anyone struggling to care for their animals to seek advice and assistance rather than neglect or abandon them.