CONVICTED (2022) | Dominic Vincent Hawryluk, born 15 December 1984, of Avon Close, Blackburn BB2 2ND – shut a starving dog in a room without food or water. Dominic Hawryluk shut a dog in a room without food and water and left her to rot. Akita Mika was left to fester in her own urine and faeces before she was rescued by a kind-hearted member of the public and taken into the care of the RSPCA. However the dog’s health sadly deteriorated and a vet made the difficult decision to put her to sleep. Akita Mika was desperately ill when rescued by professional dog groomer Alison Ryden and, very sadly, couldn’t be saved. Blackburn magistrates heard the dog was eventually taken away by professional dog groomer Alison Ryden who threatened the owner with the police if he didn’t release the dog to her. The court heard Dominic Vincent Hawryluk had previously received financial assistance from the RSPCA before he was warned about his care of the Mika. Hawryluk pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal and failing to ensure the welfare of an animal. Paul Ridehalgh, prosecuting for the RSPCA, said following the first visit to the defendant’s home an RSPCA inspector advised Hawryluk to provide the dog with a bed, fresh water and food. He was also provided with a voucher for a vet in inspect the dog and cut her nails. When the inspector returned a second time Mika again had no food or water, no bed and the floor of the kitchen where she was living was covered in faeces and urine and a warning notice was served. Mr Ridehalgh said shortly after Miss Ryden, who runs Ebony Dog Grooming, received information about the dog and she went round to the house. “She looked through the window and could see the floor was covered in faeces and urine and the dog had no food or water,” said Mr Ridehalgh. “The defendant came to the door but was reluctant to let Miss Ryden in. She threatened to call the police if he didn’t let her remove the dog and she took it to her home.” Mika was taken to the vets where she was treated and put on intravenous drips. She was eventually signed over to the RSPCA. When he was interviewed Hawryluk admitted he had not seen the dog for two weeks. He accepted he had not made appropriate arrangements for the dog and said he was “disgusted” at how long he had left the dog alone in the kitchen. Mr Ridehalgh said the dog had conjunctivitis in one eye, pressure sores, her skin was in poor condition and she was malnourished. Gareth Price, defending, said it was a very sad set of circumstances but it had not been a deliberate attempt to mistreat the dog. “An argument can be made that this was an incompetent carer who had his own mental health problems at the time,” said Mr Price. “He had genuine affection for the dog, which had belonged to his dad before his death, and he accepts he treated it badly towards the end.” Mr Price said he wasn’t instructed to oppose the application for a disqualification from keeping animals. “He hasn’t got any animals in his care and doesn’t want any, certainly in the short-term,” he added. Inspector Nina Small, who was sent to investigate, described Mika when she first saw her at the vets. She said: “The dog was lying down in a kennel and was on IV fluids. Her head was down and she looked extremely lethargic and weak. She had bald reddish patches to her feet, elbows and underside. “She was able to walk a little with assistance. She had very little muscle and her skeleton was showing through thick coat. She was in an extremely poor condition.” After the case Nina said: “Mika was taken into the care of an RSPCA branch but sadly her health deteriorated and a vet made the sad decision to put her to sleep. It was very upsetting for all involved. “The RSPCA would always urge anyone who feels they are struggling with the care of a pet to contact us or one of the many other animal charities out there who can offer help and assistance.” Sentencing: 12-month community order with 20 days Rehabilitation Activity Requirement; £215 in fines costs and charges. Disqualified from keeping animals for 10 years. Lancashire Telegraph