FRAZER MASSEY AND ZOE WHITE'S HORRIFIC CRUELTY IN SHEFFIELD: DOGS LEFT TO STARVE IN ABANDONED PROPERTY

In a disturbing case of animal neglect, Frazer Hugh Massey, born on March 20, 1993, and Zoe Natasha White, born on March 11, 1987, both residents of Morland Road, Sheffield S14 1TB, were found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to two dogs by abandoning them in a state of neglect. The incident took place after the couple vacated their property in Moorends, Doncaster, in June 2018, leaving behind their beloved pets to face a tragic fate.

According to reports, Massey and White left their residence on Wembley Road, Moorends, without ensuring the safety and well-being of their animals. The two dogs, an eight-month-old Yorkshire Terrier named Rexy and a seven-year-old Jack Russell Terrier called Missy, were discovered locked in an upstairs bedroom of the empty property. The conditions they endured were appalling: both dogs had no access to food or water, and they were infested with fleas. Tragically, Rexy had already succumbed to starvation by the time authorities arrived, his body found among clothes, empty takeaway containers, and fizzy drink bottles scattered across the floor.

Despite the dire circumstances, Missy survived. She was found to be severely underweight, with a coat heavily infested with fleas and flea dirt. The veterinary examination confirmed that Rexy had most likely died from starvation, while Missy was extremely thirsty, hungry, and itchy. When given water and food, she ate ravenously and drank excessively, indicating her desperate need for sustenance. The evidence of her distress was further underscored by scratch marks on the bedroom flooring, which showed her frantic attempts to escape her confinement.

RSPCA inspector Tamsin Drysdale recounted her experience upon entering the property. She described how Missy immediately ran past her, clearly desperate to escape, and how she observed the scratch marks in the carpet, evidence of the dogs' frantic efforts to break free. The inspector also noted the poor condition of Rexy, whose body was found among the debris on the floor. Following the discovery, Missy was taken into the care of the RSPCA Doncaster and Rotherham Branch Animal Centre in Bawtry, where she was eventually rehomed and is now living happily.

The court proceedings revealed that Massey and White had left their property on June 9, 2018, after an incident that involved police intervention. They never returned to the residence, and it was only four days later that a concerned member of the public contacted the RSPCA. The organization responded by sealing the property to prevent further neglect. Inspector Drysdale managed to speak with Zoe White, who claimed that a 15-year-old friend’s daughter was attending the property and that they planned to return soon. However, they failed to do so, leaving the dogs in their tragic state.

Inspector Drysdale expressed her disbelief at the cruelty involved, stating, “It’s hard to imagine any circumstances where I would leave my dogs locked in a bedroom alone, without food or water, and without ensuring someone was attending to them, like Massey and White did here.” She further added that the dogs' discovery was only possible because White contacted the RSPCA, claiming she wanted to rehome them and providing a spare key. She remarked that if the couple had acted sooner, both dogs might have survived their ordeal.

In sentencing, both Massey and White received 14-week prison sentences, suspended for 12 months. Massey was ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work, while White was given a curfew order. Additionally, they were each ordered to pay costs and charges totaling £265. The court also disqualified both individuals from owning dogs for life, emphasizing the severity of their neglect and cruelty.