EMMANUEL PAUL'S HORRIFIC CRUELTY IN SALFORD: DOGS STARVED AND NEGLECTED

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Salford, Emmanuel Paul, born on December 28, 1984, was found guilty of severe animal cruelty involving the neglect and starvation of multiple dogs and puppies. The incident came to light after RSPCA officers responded to a tip-off expressing grave concerns about the welfare of animals kept at his residence located at 89 Hacking Street, Salford M7 4ZD.

Authorities discovered that Paul had been neglecting five adult Cane Corsos along with two litters comprising 17 puppies. The conditions in his backyard breeding operation were appalling, with the animals left without basic necessities such as food, bedding, or toys. Instead, the dogs were confined in cramped spaces, including cat carriers and makeshift enclosures, where they were heard squealing and barking in distress.

RSPCA officers, after receiving credible information, conducted multiple visits to Paul’s residence in September and October 2020. During these inspections, they observed the dire state of the animals firsthand. One of the female dogs was found to be underweight, with fresh, deep lacerations that suggested possible fighting injuries. A puppy was also noted to be lethargic and lacking vitality. Recognizing the urgency, officers advised Paul to seek immediate veterinary care for the injured animals, which he did, attending a vet appointment with the dogs.

Further investigation revealed that many of the dogs bred by Paul had cropped ears, a practice that is illegal in the UK. Photos from his Facebook business page showed these ear-cropped dogs, highlighting his involvement in illegal breeding practices. Despite issuing improvement notices and offering advice to improve the animals’ living conditions, Paul failed to comply fully. Officers returned multiple times to monitor progress and even offered to rehome the dogs if he was unable to care for them properly.

Eventually, the five adult dogs were taken into the care of the local housing association and placed in the custody of Dogs Trust. Three of these dogs were signed over for rehoming, while the remaining two remained in the charity’s care, available for future adoption. On November 4, 2020, RSPCA Inspector Nichola Johnson visited Paul’s address again to check on the puppies. Her detailed witness statement described a scene of chaos and neglect: upon entering the flat, she could hear the loud noise of puppies barking and squealing. The strong smell of ammonia filled the air, indicating poor hygiene and inadequate sanitation.

She uncovered two black crates and five cat carriers, all containing puppies. The environment was devoid of water, bedding, or toys, and the puppies’ physical condition was concerning. Some appeared bright and alert, but all were visibly thin, with their ribs, spines, and hips clearly outlined. The inspector instructed Paul to provide water, which the puppies eagerly drank, confirming their dehydration. The puppies were immediately taken for urgent veterinary assessments, which confirmed they had suffered unnecessarily due to neglect.

Further inquiries revealed that Paul had a history of presenting animals in poor health to veterinary clinics, often unable or unwilling to afford necessary treatments. Records showed he last visited the vet on November 1, 2020, with a puppy in such a dire state that it was euthanized because he could not cover the costs. An especially horrific photograph of a blue puppy, presented to the vet on the same day, was shown to Inspector Johnson, illustrating the extent of the neglect. This image played a significant role in the case, leading to the puppy’s inclusion in the investigation.

Over the following days, the condition of the rescued puppies improved markedly. By November 11, they had gained weight, were cleaner, and appeared much brighter. The investigation also uncovered that Paul had been to the vet to obtain a 'fit to fly' certificate for two puppies he sold to a buyer in the United States. Concerns about unlicensed breeding activities were raised by another RSPCA officer, who reported that Paul was breeding without a license.

In addition to the puppies, two adult dogs that had not been signed over were confiscated and are now available for rehoming. The five puppies seized earlier were all signed over and successfully rehomed through the RSPCA. Emmanuel Paul faced legal consequences for his actions, resulting in a sentence of 22 weeks in prison, a fine of £2,000 in costs, and a five-year ban from keeping animals, which will expire in February 2027.

This case has brought to light the brutal realities of illegal and unregulated dog breeding in Salford, with Emmanuel Paul’s name now associated with severe animal cruelty. The community and animal welfare organizations hope that this serves as a warning to others involved in such practices and underscores the importance of strict enforcement of animal welfare laws.