DOMINIC ASH SHOLING BARBERSHOP HORROR: ABANDONED SNAKE IN POOL OF SLUDGE IN SOUTHAMPTON

Dominic Ash, a resident of Sullivan Road in Southampton SO19 and known to have prior criminal convictions, became the subject of a serious animal welfare investigation after he was found responsible for abandoning a neglected snake at a local barbershop. The incident took place in the Office Barber Shop located on Ashley Road in Poole, where the police discovered the two-metre-long boa constrictor lying in a tank filled with sludge and no water.

According to reports, Ash had deliberately left the reptile in a state of neglect, failing to provide the animal with the basic necessities of life, specifically access to clean, fresh water. The police were alerted to the situation and gained entry into the shop, where they found the vivarium housing the snake. Inspector Jo Story from the RSPCA, who investigated the case, described the scene: “Police gained entry to the shop and once inside I could see the large vivarium with a common boa inside it. There was no water source and a sludge at the bottom of the vivarium. There was nowhere for the snake to hide.”

Further examination by a veterinarian confirmed that the snake was dehydrated, raising concerns about its survival. However, it remains unclear whether the snake survived the ordeal. The incident was linked to a period between May 31 and June 5, 2019, but Ash failed to appear before magistrates in January 2020, prompting the issuance of a warrant for his arrest. When he finally appeared in court, Ash pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal, a charge related to his neglect of the snake.

In sentencing, Ash was ordered to pay a total fine of £432. Additionally, he received a five-year ban from owning any animals, a restriction that will remain in effect until December 2025. The case highlights ongoing concerns about animal cruelty and neglect, especially involving individuals with prior convictions. The authorities and animal welfare organizations continue to emphasize the importance of responsible pet ownership and the enforcement of laws designed to protect vulnerable animals.