CRAIG WILKINS AND LAURA RUSSELL FROM MIDDLESBROUGH STARVE PET DOG TO EMACIATION

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Middlesbrough, Craig Wilkins and Laura Russell were found guilty of causing severe suffering to their pet dog, Sasha, through prolonged neglect and starvation. The incident took place over a period of at least three months, during which the Staffordshire Bull Terrier was subjected to extreme malnutrition, leading to her being dangerously underweight and in a state of significant physical distress.

According to the prosecution, John Ellwood, the neglect occurred between January 25 and February 25, 2017. During this time, both Russell and Wilkins were responsible for Sasha’s well-being. When the RSPCA intervened, they discovered the dog in a deplorable condition. Sasha’s hips, spine, pelvis, and ribs were prominently visible, indicating severe weight loss and muscle atrophy. The dog, which should have weighed around 15 kilograms, was found to weigh only 8.8 kilograms, roughly half of her healthy weight. Her coat was flaky and crusty, a sign of poor health, and she exhibited an insatiable appetite once she was finally fed.

Wilkins, who admitted to owning Sasha for approximately a year, acknowledged that the dog had been losing weight for several months. After her rescue, police took custody of Sasha, providing her with proper care and nutrition, which allowed her to regain a healthy weight. Wilkins, a known career criminal with previous convictions for dangerous driving and theft, refused to accept full responsibility for the neglect. His defense argued that during the period of neglect, he was under legal restrictions that prevented him from entering the shared home on Carisbrooke Avenue, Middlesbrough, and therefore could not care for Sasha. They also highlighted that the first nine months of Sasha’s life under Wilkins’ ownership had been spent with her in good health.

Laura Russell, a mother of three, expressed remorse and stated she was “mortified” to be in court. She admitted to suffering from depression, which she claimed contributed to her neglect of Sasha. Her defense acknowledged her mental health struggles but also stated that she “should never have had a dog” under her circumstances.

The court sentenced Wilkins to an 18-week prison term, suspended for 12 months, and ordered him to pay £415 in costs. Russell received the same financial penalty and a 10-year ban on keeping animals, which will remain in effect until June 2027. The case has brought to light the serious consequences of animal cruelty and neglect, prompting calls for greater awareness and stricter enforcement of animal welfare laws in Middlesbrough.