CHRISTOPHER MCGINN OF BIRKENHEAD SENTENCED FOR CRUELTY TO DOGS UNDER DANGEROUS DOGS ACT

In a disturbing case that highlights ongoing concerns about animal cruelty, Christopher Patrick McGinn, a resident of Birkenhead, was found guilty of neglecting his dogs despite being under a legal ban from keeping animals. Born on October 14, 1987, McGinn’s address at the time was Brougham Avenue, Birkenhead, CH42 3YQ. His actions led to the suffering and eventual death of one of his dogs, revealing a pattern of disregard for animal welfare and legal restrictions.

The case came to light in November 2016 when police officers responded to an unrelated incident at McGinn’s previous residence on Westbury Street, Birkenhead. During their visit, they discovered two bull terriers, Ronnie and Reggie, confined within the kitchen area of the property. The dogs were found in a deplorable state, prompting immediate concern for their health and well-being. Recognizing the severity of their condition, officers contacted the RSPCA to intervene and assess the animals.

RSPCA inspector Naomi Norris described the dogs’ condition as heartbreaking. She stated, “Both of the dogs were painfully thin, you could see pretty much every bone in their body – they looked like walking skeletons. These should have been big, strapping dogs but they were wasting away. Reggie also had an open wound on his back, although we don’t know for sure how he got this wound.” The inspector further explained that the environment in which the dogs were kept was equally appalling. The backyard was completely covered in feces, making it an unsuitable living space for any animal. Additionally, both dogs had overgrown claws, which would have caused them discomfort and difficulty walking.

It was also revealed that McGinn had previously been banned from keeping animals for a period of ten years in 2007. Despite this legal restriction, he had violated the order by continuing to keep and neglect his dogs. This breach of the disqualification order underscored a blatant disregard for the law and the welfare of the animals involved. The neglect was so severe that it resulted in the suffering of two dogs, with one, Reggie, ultimately being euthanized. Reggie was identified by a police dog legislation officer as a breed banned under Section 1 of the Dangerous Dogs Act, which led to the heartbreaking decision to put him to sleep. Ronnie, the other dog, was successfully rehomed and is now in a new, caring environment.

Inspector Norris expressed her disappointment over the outcome, especially considering Reggie’s progress before his death. “This is a very sad ending as Reggie was recovering well and we were hoping to see him into a new home. The RSPCA do not make these decisions. We do not agree with breed-specific legislation and have been campaigning for changes to this law for a long time,” she said.

McGinn pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including three counts of failing to meet the needs of his dogs and one count of breaching his animal disqualification order. His sentencing included a three-month prison sentence, which was suspended for 12 months, along with orders to pay costs of £385 and a victim surcharge of £115. Additionally, he was banned from keeping animals for a period of 15 years, a measure intended to prevent further incidents of neglect and cruelty in the future.