DONTEA WEST'S HORRIFIC CRUELTY IN GREAT BARR: PUPPY PEPSI BEATEN AND BURNED

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Great Barr, Birmingham, Dontea West, born circa 2005 and residing at Hilliards Croft, was found guilty of inflicting severe injuries on his five-month-old puppy, Pepsi. The incident has brought to light the brutal treatment of the young dog, which suffered multiple injuries, including burns and fractured bones, under West's care.

According to court proceedings, West initially attempted to deceive authorities by fabricating stories about how Pepsi sustained his injuries. He claimed that the puppy had fallen down the stairs while he was carrying him, which supposedly caused the rib fractures and other injuries. However, evidence presented during the trial painted a far more sinister picture.

The RSPCA was alerted to the situation after a concerned member of the public raised alarms about Pepsi’s welfare. Inspector Vicki Taylor, who responded to the call, provided a detailed account of her findings. She observed that Pepsi was visibly lame on his hind legs and was extremely unsteady on his feet. The dog’s back left leg was not bearing weight, indicating significant injury. West told the inspector that he had injured the dog in a fall, but further examination revealed more troubling signs.

Inspector Taylor noted that Pepsi’s front left leg appeared misshapen and abnormally flexible, and there was fur loss on one side of the dog’s body. West explained that the fur loss was due to a burn caused when Pepsi knocked over a hot drink, which then scalded him. To confirm the extent of the injuries, Pepsi was taken to the RSPCA’s animal hospital in Birmingham, where X-rays revealed multiple rib fractures and a fracture on the left side of his neck. Remarkably, these injuries had healed on their own, indicating they had been inflicted some time prior.

A veterinary expert involved in the case testified that the skeletal injuries and burns were inconsistent with accidental causes. The veterinarian explained that rib fractures are a common indicator of abuse in animals, often resulting from direct force such as being struck, kicked, or thrown against a blunt object. The presence of bilateral rib fractures was particularly suspicious, strongly suggesting deliberate harm rather than accidental injury. The scald injury to Pepsi’s chest was also deemed unlikely to have resulted from a simple spill, further supporting allegations of cruelty.

During the court proceedings, it was revealed that West had been diagnosed with mental health issues, which he claimed might have contributed to his actions. Nonetheless, the court found sufficient evidence to convict him of multiple charges, including animal cruelty. West pleaded guilty to neglecting to provide veterinary treatment for Pepsi’s rib fractures and was convicted of four additional offences following a trial.

Following the sentencing, Inspector Taylor expressed her dismay at the case. She stated, “West claimed that Pepsi received these injuries accidentally, but after the trial, the courts decided otherwise. It is truly heartbreaking that Pepsi was subjected to such treatment.”

As a result of the conviction, Pepsi has been rehomed to a caring environment, away from his previous owner’s neglect. West received a custodial sentence of three months in prison for animal cruelty, with additional sentences of two months for possessing a bladed article and one month for assault. All sentences are to run consecutively. Furthermore, West is banned from keeping any animals for ten years, a restriction that will last until August 2034.

This case has once again highlighted the importance of animal welfare and the need for vigilance within communities like Great Barr to prevent such tragic incidents from recurring.