CONVICTED (2022) | Byron Rowland aka Byron Daniels or Byron Allen, born 19 March 1999, of 50 Limefield Road, Radcliffe, Bury BL9 5ET – left his two pet dog to die in his abandoned rubbish-strewn flat. Rowland pleaded guilty to two animal welfare offences in relation to two dogs found dead in his squalid flat in Walmersley Road, Bury. The RSPCA made the horrific discovery of the emaciated bodies of bulldog breed dogs Tank and Frankie after they had been left unsupervised and without water for more than three weeks at the flat. Dark silhouette stains where the dogs had laid were visible on the carpets when they were removed from the flat after the discovery during a routine inspection by the landlord of the property on January 19, 2022. Tank and Frankie were left to die by evil Byron Rowland from Bury, Greater Manchester. Images: RSPCA The dogs were found lying in two upstairs bedrooms, where the floors were littered with dog faeces. Rowland admitted causing unnecessary suffering to Tank and Frankie by failing to provide the proper and necessary care for them between October 31, 2021 and January 19, 2022. He also admitted failing to ensure the needs of the two dogs were met between the same dates. RSPCA inspector Jessica Araujo said in her witness statement presented to the court that when she went into the flat on February 23 there was not a single source of water available for the dogs to drink. Tank as a puppy She said: “Any bowls, pans or plates were dry. All taps were turned off. “The kitchen sink, bath and toilet were all dry. “The landlord informed me that the central heating had also been left on. “In the bedroom where Tank was found there were around 40 piles of faeces, an overturned empty dog bowl, two empty upright bowls and an open bag of dry dog food. “And in the bedroom where Frankie was found there were, again, multiple piles of dog faeces mixed with torn up tissue.” Inspector Araujo later spoke with Tank’s original owner, who said she had asked Rowland to look after him after she couldn’t take him to her new home. The defendant was eventually tracked down after Inspector Araujo contacted his mother, Jennifer Mae Smith, and he was interviewed on March 10. A vet’s expert report said Rowland claimed he had left two bowls of water for the dogs when he left them in the flat. There was also a bag of dog food. The vet said: “Dog food was still accessible at the time of their death but the dogs did not have access to water. “A dog that has access to food but not water will dehydrate and die within eight to 11 days. “When the water bowls became depleted it is likely the dogs began to search for other water sources. “The inspector noted the toilet was dry, which was likely due to them having drunk the water after their bowls were empty.” In defence, the court was told Rowland had lost his job and he was in arrears with his rent when he left the flat. Speaking after the sentencing, Inspector Araujo added: “It was such a horrific way for those two poor dogs to die, especially since it was totally avoidable.” Sentencing | 26 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months; 30 rehabilitation activity days; 150 hours of unpaid work; £1,972 legal costs and vets fees as well as a victim surcharge of £128. Five-year ban on keeping animals (expires December 2027). Bury Times