GARY VIVERS AND GILLIAN CLARKE OF SWADLINCOTE CONVICTED FOR CRUELTY TO DOGS IN FILTHY KENNELS

In a disturbing case of animal neglect, Gary Vivers, born around 1959, and Gillian Clarke, born around 1961, both residents of Cedar Grove, Linton, Swadlincote DE12 6QQ, have been found guilty of severe animal cruelty involving seven dogs kept in deplorable conditions. The dogs, which included Irish water spaniels and a springer spaniel, suffered prolonged neglect at the hands of their owners, who are known hobby breeders.

These animals endured significant physical and emotional distress due to months of abandonment and poor care. The neglect was so severe that the dogs' health and well-being were critically compromised. Gary Vivers, originally from Bathgate in Scotland, pleaded guilty to charges of causing unnecessary suffering and failing to meet the animals' basic needs. The court heard that he was responsible for the prolonged neglect that inflicted considerable suffering upon the dogs.

Gillian Clarke was also convicted after a trial on charges related to the unnecessary suffering of the animals. However, she was acquitted of a lesser charge that involved failing to ensure the dogs' needs were met. The case came to light in August 2021, following a complaint made to South Derbyshire authorities about the persistent barking of several dogs kept in kennels on the property. The complainant also reported a strong smell of urine emanating from the premises and expressed concern about the environment in which the animals were being kept.

Upon investigation, council officers visited the property and discovered multiple kennels in the garden containing the seven dogs. The conditions were appalling: the kennels were filled with large accumulations of dog feces, emitted a strong urine odor, and were structurally unsound, posing physical risks to the animals. Several of the dogs exhibited severe matting of their fur and appeared to be in poor physical and emotional health. The officers determined that the welfare of the animals was in such jeopardy that they invoked exceptional animal welfare powers to seize the dogs immediately. The animals were subsequently taken into the care of a local dog kennels.

The following day, a veterinarian examined the dogs and confirmed that they had been neglected over an extended period. The vet agreed that removing the dogs from the premises was necessary to prevent further suffering. An eighth dog was later removed from the property in September 2021. Fortunately, all of the dogs recovered from their ordeal and have since been rehomed.

In sentencing, Gary Vivers received a 10-week prison sentence, which was suspended for 18 months. He was also placed under a rehabilitation order and banned from keeping animals for five years, with the ban set to expire in January 2028. Gillian Clarke was banned from keeping animals for two years, with the ban expiring in January 2025. The couple was ordered to pay fines and costs totaling £4,816. This case highlights the importance of animal welfare enforcement and the consequences of neglecting vulnerable animals in the community.