ARMLEY VET GARY SAMUEL AND ROCHELLE MCEWAN CONVICTED OF HORRIFIC ANIMAL CRUELTY IN LEEDS

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Armley, Leeds, former veterinary surgeon Gary Samuel and his assistant Rochelle McEwan faced justice after authorities uncovered a horrifying scene of animal neglect and cruelty at their practice. The incident, which came to light in 2015, revealed that the duo had been keeping a total of 22 huskies and eight cats in deplorable conditions within the basement of Armley Vets on Town Street.

Gary Samuel, born on June 9, 1966, and residing on Weston Road, Enfield, had practiced veterinary medicine for 16 years, serving approximately 10,000 clients over his career. His partner and assistant, Rochelle McEwan, born on March 18, 1987, of Stonecliffe Close, Leeds, was also implicated in the case. The authorities discovered the animals living in a secret, hidden basement accessed through a trap door concealed beneath a carpet and a table, which was part of the back room and living quarters of the veterinary practice.

Investigations revealed that the animals, primarily huskies and some puppies, were kept in filthy, overcrowded cages with minimal access to water or proper bedding. The conditions were so appalling that some of the puppies had to be euthanized, along with one of the cats found in the premises. The police, responding to a 999 call in February 2015 reporting that Samuel was threatening McEwan with a hammer, arrived at the scene to find the animals in a state of severe neglect. The officers described the smell of urine and feces permeating the building, with the animals living in darkness and squalor.

During the search, officers found three cats in the back room, all described as 'skin and bone,' with one requiring euthanasia. The police also discovered that the animals had been deprived of water and proper care for extended periods. The situation was so dire that the RSPCA was called to assist, and several animals were removed from the premises that very night. Veterinary assessments led to the euthanasia of three additional dogs on veterinary advice.

Samuel attempted to shift blame onto McEwan, claiming she was responsible for collecting the dogs and that he was unhappy with their confinement in the cellar. However, the court did not accept this defense, and Samuel was convicted on all charges of animal cruelty. RSPCA inspector Nikki Cheetham described the scene as one of the most shocking she had encountered in her career, emphasizing that the veterinary practice was a place where animals were suffering in silence amidst paying clients.

She detailed that most of the dogs were husky-types, with two Chinese crested dogs among them. The adult animals were kept in the basement, while puppies and cats were found in separate rooms. Since the rescue, 21 animals—comprising 15 dogs and six cats—have been rehomed across various centers in County Durham, York, Liverpool, Chester, Leeds, and Harrogate.

In July 2018, Samuel was formally struck off the veterinary register after a disciplinary hearing by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS). The tribunal described the raid and subsequent findings in detail, noting the appalling state of the premises, the neglect of the animals, and Samuel’s indifference to their suffering. The report highlighted that police found a large number of dogs in cages in the cellar, many without water, in cramped conditions, and in complete darkness for extended periods.

Samuel attempted to deny responsibility, claiming that McEwan was solely responsible for the animals, citing their personal relationship issues at the time. Nonetheless, the court found that Samuel had breached his duties as a veterinarian, showing a complete disregard for animal welfare and attempting to wash his hands of the situation.

Sentencing saw Samuel receive a 12-week suspended prison sentence, 150 hours of unpaid work, a fine of £700, and a lifetime ban from keeping animals and practicing as a vet. McEwan received a similar sentence—12 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months, 150 hours of unpaid work, and a lifetime disqualification from keeping animals.

Further attempts by Samuel in December 2021 to regain his veterinary license were rejected by the RCVS tribunal. He claimed to have undergone a reformation, emphasizing his newfound understanding of animal welfare standards. However, the committee dismissed his claims, criticizing his lack of remorse and the absence of genuine acknowledgment of the suffering caused. They concluded that Samuel’s conduct demonstrated he was unfit to care for animals, given his history of neglect and indifference.