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JON AND STACEY MCDERMOTT FROM FOREST OF DEAN FACE SUSPENDED PRISON TERMS OVER CRUELTY TO DOGS AND BEARDED DRAGON
On Thursday, February 9, 2023, a significant operation was carried out at the residence of Jon and Stacey McDermott, located on New Road in Bream, near Lydney, within the Forest of Dean district. The intervention was conducted by animal welfare officials from the Forest of Dean District Council, who were supported by the Rural Crime Team and the Gloucestershire Constabulary's Local Policing Team. The purpose of this raid was to investigate allegations of severe neglect involving multiple animals kept at the property.During the search, authorities discovered a distressing scene that highlighted the extent of the neglect. In an upstairs bedroom, four cavapoo-type dogs were found living in deplorable conditions. The wooden floor of the room, along with the adjoining en-suite, was heavily contaminated with dog faeces and urine, creating an unsanitary environment. The dogs themselves appeared unkempt, with long, matted fur and overgrown claws, indicating a lack of proper grooming and care for an extended period. In addition to these animals, two more dogs of a similar breed were located in the downstairs kitchen area. The kitchen floor was also covered in dog faeces, and all six dogs had minimal bedding, further emphasizing the neglect.
Following the seizure, the dogs were transported to a local veterinary practice for urgent medical attention. Veterinarians identified multiple health issues among the animals, including severe matting, flea infestations, and various infections. One dog was suffering from an eye infection so severe that it required surgical removal. Another dog was notably smaller than its counterparts, suggesting possible malnutrition or underlying health problems. Three of the dogs were diagnosed with otitis, a painful middle ear infection affecting both ears, while the remaining animals exhibited long-term skin inflammations, causing them significant discomfort, itching, and suffering.
In addition to the dogs, authorities found a bearded dragon in the conservatory area, housed within a suitably sized vivarium. However, the conditions inside the enclosure were far from appropriate. The vivarium lacked essential heat and lighting, and the substrate was heavily soiled with faeces. There was no evidence of fresh food or water, indicating neglect of the reptile’s basic needs. The bearded dragon was seized and subsequently taken to a reptile sanctuary for proper care.
Jon and Stacey McDermott appeared before Cheltenham Magistrates Court on October 16, 2023, to face charges related to the neglect and suffering of their animals. Prosecutor Alex Kirk described the scene at the McDermott residence as “shocking,” particularly the master bedroom where the six dogs were kept. He detailed the overwhelming amount of faeces, which had not been cleaned for months, creating an uninhabitable environment. The dogs were suffering from various ailments, including eye infections and skin inflammations, with some animals showing signs of long-term neglect. One dog had an eye infection that required removal, and another was significantly underweight.
Mr. Kirk also described the house as cluttered and foul-smelling, with an “overwhelming stench of ammonia and fleas.” The garden, mostly concreted over, was cluttered with building materials and trailers. Inside an outbuilding, authorities found a cage containing the bearded dragon, which was in poor condition due to the lack of ultraviolet light, resulting in a dull, sandy-yellow coloration. When the cage was opened, the lizard did not react or move, indicating a state of severe neglect. The reptile was seized and taken to a sanctuary for proper care.
Both Stacey and Jon McDermott pleaded guilty to multiple charges. Stacey admitted to causing unnecessary suffering to two dogs and failing to meet their needs, as well as those of the bearded dragon. Jon pleaded guilty to failing to meet the needs of all six dogs and the bearded dragon. In mitigation, Holly Burton explained that the couple was experiencing financial hardship, owing over £10,000 in debts, and suffering from mental health issues. She emphasized that the neglect was not deliberate but a consequence of their deteriorating mental health and living conditions.
Sentencing involved eight weeks in prison for each defendant, suspended for 12 months. They were also ordered to contribute £750 each towards the council’s costs, pay a victim surcharge of £154, and were disqualified from keeping dogs for five years, with the ban expiring in October 2028. The case highlights the serious consequences of animal neglect and the importance of animal welfare enforcement in the Forest of Dean district.