JAKE CRAVEN AND MEGAN FINDLAY FROM KINGSTON UPON HULL AND SCARBOROUGH SENTENCED FOR STARVING DOGS
| Red Rose Database
Scarborough Kingston upon Hull Animal Abuser
In a disturbing case that has shocked animal welfare advocates, Jake Craven, born on 11 February 1996 and currently residing on Linnaeus Street in Anlaby, Hull, along with Megan Findlay, born on 18 April 1999 of Victoria Park Avenue in Scarborough, have been found guilty of neglecting their dogs, leading to the starvation and death of one of the animals. The case highlights serious concerns about animal cruelty and the responsibilities of pet owners in the Kingston upon Hull and Scarborough areas.
It all began in March 2023 when representatives from the RSPCA, accompanied by a housing association officer, visited the couple’s flat located on Victoria Avenue in Scarborough. During this initial visit, authorities discovered three dogs living in the premises, including two Staffordshire Bull Terriers named Coco and her puppy Tinker, as well as a terrier called Rex. The dogs were kept in conditions that blatantly violated the terms of the tenancy agreement, raising immediate concerns about their welfare.
Despite the intervention and offers of assistance with rehoming the animals, the couple did not take any steps to improve their situation. When the housing officer returned to the flat two weeks later, she found herself unable to access the property, indicating that the situation had deteriorated further or that the couple had possibly moved or concealed the animals.
It was not until June 10 that RSPCA Inspector Tom Hutton located the couple on wasteland near the Grand Hotel in Scarborough. During this encounter, Megan Findlay explained to the inspector that they were homeless at the time. She also revealed that Rex had died, and she had wrapped his body in a blanket and placed him inside their tent. This revelation prompted further investigation into the condition of the remaining dogs.
Inspector Hutton observed that both Staffies, Coco and Tinker, were in a severely emaciated state. The inspector described their condition as extremely poor, with their hips and ribs prominently visible and their spines protruding. Both dogs were suffering from anemia and required urgent veterinary treatment. A veterinarian who examined Coco, aged two, reported that she was in a state of severe malnutrition, with a body condition score of just two out of nine. Tinker, a six-month-old Staffie cross, scored only three on the same scale. The veterinarian estimated that the dogs had been suffering from neglect for at least a month, given the extent of their weight loss and physical deterioration.
During court proceedings, it was revealed that Megan Findlay was dealing with psychological issues, including ADHD, anxiety, and depression, which may have contributed to her inability to care for the animals properly. Jake Craven was described as having a secondary responsibility for the dogs’ welfare, implying that he was involved but perhaps not the primary caregiver.
Fortunately, Coco and Tinker have now been rescued and are in good health after receiving veterinary care. The RSPCA has confirmed that both dogs will be rehomed to loving families, ensuring they will no longer suffer from neglect.
Following the sentencing, Inspector Hutton expressed his disappointment in the defendants’ failure to seek help or support despite having ample opportunity. “The defendants had ample time to address the weight loss of their dogs. They didn’t engage with the RSPCA’s foodbank scheme or seek the support one of our branches could have offered them if they were struggling. They rang us to tell us one of the dogs was dead and we rushed over, but it was too late by then,” he stated.
In court, Jake Craven received an 18-month community order, which includes 25 days of rehabilitation and a three-month curfew. Megan Findlay was also sentenced to an 18-month community order, with 35 days of rehabilitation and a victim surcharge of £114. Additionally, both individuals face a seven-year ban from owning animals, which will remain in effect until May 2031. The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of responsible pet ownership and the consequences of neglect in the Kingston upon Hull and Scarborough communities.
It all began in March 2023 when representatives from the RSPCA, accompanied by a housing association officer, visited the couple’s flat located on Victoria Avenue in Scarborough. During this initial visit, authorities discovered three dogs living in the premises, including two Staffordshire Bull Terriers named Coco and her puppy Tinker, as well as a terrier called Rex. The dogs were kept in conditions that blatantly violated the terms of the tenancy agreement, raising immediate concerns about their welfare.
Despite the intervention and offers of assistance with rehoming the animals, the couple did not take any steps to improve their situation. When the housing officer returned to the flat two weeks later, she found herself unable to access the property, indicating that the situation had deteriorated further or that the couple had possibly moved or concealed the animals.
It was not until June 10 that RSPCA Inspector Tom Hutton located the couple on wasteland near the Grand Hotel in Scarborough. During this encounter, Megan Findlay explained to the inspector that they were homeless at the time. She also revealed that Rex had died, and she had wrapped his body in a blanket and placed him inside their tent. This revelation prompted further investigation into the condition of the remaining dogs.
Inspector Hutton observed that both Staffies, Coco and Tinker, were in a severely emaciated state. The inspector described their condition as extremely poor, with their hips and ribs prominently visible and their spines protruding. Both dogs were suffering from anemia and required urgent veterinary treatment. A veterinarian who examined Coco, aged two, reported that she was in a state of severe malnutrition, with a body condition score of just two out of nine. Tinker, a six-month-old Staffie cross, scored only three on the same scale. The veterinarian estimated that the dogs had been suffering from neglect for at least a month, given the extent of their weight loss and physical deterioration.
During court proceedings, it was revealed that Megan Findlay was dealing with psychological issues, including ADHD, anxiety, and depression, which may have contributed to her inability to care for the animals properly. Jake Craven was described as having a secondary responsibility for the dogs’ welfare, implying that he was involved but perhaps not the primary caregiver.
Fortunately, Coco and Tinker have now been rescued and are in good health after receiving veterinary care. The RSPCA has confirmed that both dogs will be rehomed to loving families, ensuring they will no longer suffer from neglect.
Following the sentencing, Inspector Hutton expressed his disappointment in the defendants’ failure to seek help or support despite having ample opportunity. “The defendants had ample time to address the weight loss of their dogs. They didn’t engage with the RSPCA’s foodbank scheme or seek the support one of our branches could have offered them if they were struggling. They rang us to tell us one of the dogs was dead and we rushed over, but it was too late by then,” he stated.
In court, Jake Craven received an 18-month community order, which includes 25 days of rehabilitation and a three-month curfew. Megan Findlay was also sentenced to an 18-month community order, with 35 days of rehabilitation and a victim surcharge of £114. Additionally, both individuals face a seven-year ban from owning animals, which will remain in effect until May 2031. The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of responsible pet ownership and the consequences of neglect in the Kingston upon Hull and Scarborough communities.