IAIN COCKLEY-ADAMS OF CHELTENHAM FACES COURT AFTER LEAVING DOGS IN HOT HORSEBOX

Iain Cockley-Adams, a resident of Cheltenham and employed as an NHS manager with Gloucestershire Care Services NHS, was found guilty of animal cruelty following a distressing incident that took place in June 2017. The court heard that Cockley-Adams left his two dogs, both collie-crosses, confined within a horsebox at an outdoor event in Euston, Cheltenham, during a particularly hot day with temperatures soaring to 29 degrees Celsius.

Despite his claims that he had provided four bowls of water and checked on the animals twice during the eight-hour period, the conditions inside the horsebox proved to be deadly. When the vehicle was finally opened, it was discovered that the interior felt as hot as an oven, highlighting the severity of the situation. One of the dogs, Wade, a Labrador-collie cross, was found collapsed and was subsequently euthanized due to the extent of his suffering. Fortunately, his brother Dec survived the ordeal, though he endured significant distress.

The prosecution, led by Hazel Stevens, emphasized that Cockley-Adams' actions demonstrated a reckless disregard for the welfare of his pets. She pointed out that although there was no suggestion of deliberate cruelty, his failure to check on the dogs more frequently was a clear act of negligence. The court was also informed that the incident could have been avoided if proper precautions had been taken.

An RSPCA spokesperson condemned the incident, describing the dog's death as