INGA OZOLA AND ARUNAS VENSLOVAS HORRIFICALLY BURY PUPPY ALIVE IN LEYLAND

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Leyland, Inga Ozola, born 15 July 1976, and her partner Arunas Venslovas, born 23 February 1969, both residents of 12 Seven Stars Road, Leyland PR25 1AL, were found guilty of heinous animal cruelty involving a severely injured puppy. The incident dates back to April 2019, when a nine-week-old Pomeranian named Spencer was discovered buried alive in a remote area near Worden Park, a well-known location in Leyland.

Spencer was unearthed by a member of the public who, along with their dogs, stumbled upon the puppy buried in the ground inside a ripped bin liner. The discovery was made in an area far from the usual footpaths, deep within the undergrowth, making the find all the more remarkable. The person who found Spencer immediately alerted authorities, recognizing the puppy’s distress and the suspicious circumstances of his burial.

Veterinary examination revealed that Spencer had sustained two broken legs and nerve damage, injuries that required urgent medical attention. Despite the efforts of the veterinary team at the RSPCA Greater Manchester Animal Hospital in Salford, it was ultimately decided that the kindest course of action was to euthanize the puppy to end his suffering. The case drew widespread attention, highlighting the cruelty inflicted upon the defenseless animal.

Following the discovery, RSPCA inspectors Alison Fletcher and Susie Milcallef launched an investigation to identify those responsible. During questioning, Ozola claimed she had bred a litter of Pomeranians and that Spencer had injured his leg while playing with other dogs. She explained that Spencer had been taken to the vet on April 8, 2019, where an X-ray confirmed a fracture of the right tibia. Pain relief was administered, and Spencer was kept in a cage to allow the injury to heal. On April 23, Ozola returned with Spencer for a follow-up X-ray, which revealed that the fracture had become displaced.

At that point, Ozola was presented with options: surgical repair costing approximately £2,000, amputation, or euthanasia. She returned home to consider her choices and later applied for financial assistance, which she was not eligible for. The court heard that Ozola had told the inspector Spencer was given away to an acquaintance from Lithuania on the morning of April 27, 2019. However, no contact details or surname of this individual were provided, raising questions about the puppy’s fate.

Further evidence was presented through CCTV footage, which showed Ozola walking towards the area where Spencer was buried on the morning of April 27, 2019, with a backpack on her back. She returned approximately 30 minutes later. When questioned about the contents of her backpack, she claimed it was a bottle of water. The footage cast serious doubt on her account of giving Spencer away, suggesting her involvement in the act of burying him alive.

Inspector Fletcher expressed her profound sadness over the case, stating, “This was a tragic case in which a young puppy suffered, by not receiving the vet treatment he needed for his injuries and then by being subjected to being buried alive. This distressing case had a profound and lasting effect on all those involved—from the members of the public who found Spencer, to myself and my colleagues investigating, as well as the veterinary staff. I take some comfort in the fact he was found and not left alone to suffer and die, but surrounded by love and people trying their best to help him.”

In court, Ozola was sentenced to 18 weeks’ detention for burying the puppy, suspended for 18 months. Additionally, she received a six-week jail sentence, also suspended for 18 months, for causing unnecessary suffering by neglecting to seek proper veterinary care. She was ordered to pay £2,000 in costs, complete 120 hours of unpaid work, and attend 10 days of rehabilitation activities. A confiscation order was made for her two pet dogs, with arrangements underway to transfer ownership and responsibility to an appropriate individual. Furthermore, she was banned from keeping any animals for 18 months, a period that was later extended to a lifetime after her appeal failed in March 2022, which also resulted in an additional £2,000 in costs.

This case has served as a stark reminder of the cruelty that can occur behind closed doors in Leyland, prompting calls for stricter animal welfare enforcement and greater awareness of responsible pet ownership.