JOHN AND CLARE RAPER FROM DARLINGTON CONVICTED OVER ANIMAL ABUSE CASE

John Raper and his wife Clare Louise Raper, both residents of Darlington in County Durham, faced serious legal consequences after being found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to multiple animals under their care. The conviction, handed down in 2020, stemmed from a detailed investigation into the conditions in which their animals were kept, revealing a disturbing pattern of neglect and cruelty.

Authorities, including RSPCA inspector Clare Wilson, conducted a thorough inspection of the Rapers' residence in Darlington after receiving reports of animal mistreatment. Accompanied by police officers, Wilson entered the property and was immediately confronted with an environment that was both unhygienic and hazardous for any living creature. The interior of the home was cluttered with hoarded household items, creating a chaotic setting that was heavily infested with fleas, flies, and other insects, indicating a severe infestation problem.

During the inspection, inspector Wilson observed that Chico, a Labrador cross, was suffering from an untreated skin condition characterized by hair loss on his back, and he was actively scratching himself, suggesting discomfort and neglect. The water bowl provided for Chico was filthy and contaminated, rendering it undrinkable. The neglect extended to other animals as well. Inside a metal cage housing two white rats, the only water available was contaminated with dead flies floating on the surface. The cage was filled with rubbish and takeaway containers, with no proper rat food present. The rats were huddled in a corner, their soiled newspaper bedding falling apart and dripping through the cage's base.

Additionally, a black cat named Puss was discovered curled up on a damp, soiled bed. Puss was found to be infested with fleas, further highlighting the neglect. Two budgerigars, Penny and Shadow, were confined in a cage cluttered with hanging toys, which severely restricted their ability to fly. The cage was also dirty, with droppings accumulated inside. In a disturbing find, another white rat was discovered living in a closed filing drawer, in complete darkness, with no access to food or water, amidst rubbish and debris.

Clare Wilson described the scene vividly, stating, “I could feel insects on me throughout the time I was in the property so it was clear there was a major flea infestation and maybe other insects as well. The floor was wet with urine in places and there was no natural light or ventilation inside as all the windows were covered. There was rubbish and hazards everywhere making it an inappropriate environment for animals to be living in.”

Following the investigation, a deprivation order was issued for Chico, Puss, Penny, and Shadow, allowing these animals to be rehomed after a 21-day period for appeals. The rats were surrendered into the care of the RSPCA and have since been rehomed. The court sentenced the Rapers to a six-month conditional discharge, ordered them to pay £222 in costs and charges, and imposed a lifetime ban on keeping animals, with the right to appeal after 20 years. This case underscores the importance of animal welfare laws and the ongoing efforts of authorities to protect vulnerable creatures from neglect and cruelty in Darlington and beyond.