DREADFUL DOG ABUSER DAVID NICHOLLS FROM BLURTON, STOKE ON TRENT, STRIKES AGAIN

In a disturbing case of animal cruelty, David Nicholls, a resident of Blurton in Stoke on Trent, was found guilty of heinous neglect involving his elderly dog. The incident, which took place in February 2012, revealed the extent of his callousness towards his pet, Nato, a 16-year-old Jack Russell.

According to reports, Nicholls had chained Nato to a shed in freezing weather conditions for a period that lasted up to three weeks. During this time, the dog was subjected to extreme cold, and the neglect was so severe that Nato was barely able to stand when discovered by RSPCA officers. The dog was covered in weeping sores, a clear sign of untreated injuries and infections. The conditions Nato endured were so dire that he was forced to drink his own urine and eat his feces simply to survive.

Veterinary examination revealed that Nato's health had deteriorated significantly. The vets had to perform a surgical procedure to remove one of the dog’s eyes after an infection, which had become septic due to Nicholls’ neglect, had become easily treatable if addressed earlier. The severity of the injuries and neglect highlighted the tragic consequences of prolonged abandonment and mistreatment.

Laura Bryant, an RSPCA officer involved in the case, expressed her concern, stating, “Nato would have needed only basic treatment if Nicholls had taken him to the vet, but leaving him for so long made his injuries horrific.”

It was also revealed that this was not an isolated incident of cruelty. In May 2011, Nicholls had previously been convicted of mistreating another dog, a Staffordshire terrier, which he had bought in a pub and then left tied to a park bench. This history of animal abuse underscored a pattern of neglect and cruelty.

During the court proceedings, Chairman Doug Hood emphasized the seriousness of the case, stating, “This matter of causing unnecessary cruelty to the dog is a serious case. Anyone would have realised that the dog needed treatment. This is also compounded by your previous discharge for a similar matter.”

As a result of his actions, Nicholls received an 18-month community order and was ordered to pay £465 in veterinary costs. Additionally, he was handed a ten-year ban on keeping pets, which expired in October 2022. The court’s verdict aimed to reflect the gravity of his cruelty and to prevent further harm to animals in the future.