JOSEPH BELL FROM ASHINGTON FACES LIFETIME BAN AFTER DOG'S SUFFERING

Joseph Bell, a resident of Tweed Street in Ashington, was found guilty of neglecting his dog, Rocky, a four-year-old English bull terrier, by failing to seek necessary veterinary care for his pet's severe health issues. Rocky was suffering from a range of serious ailments, including near-total blindness, with green discharge emanating from both eyes, extensive fur loss, skin lesions, inflamed skin, and dangerously overgrown claws. Despite these evident signs of distress, Bell did not take any action to address his dog’s worsening condition.

On December 9, 2016, an RSPCA inspector visited Bell’s home as part of a follow-up inspection to check whether he had taken Rocky to the vet after an earlier warning. During this visit, the inspector observed the dog in a dire state: Rocky’s fur was severely patchy, his skin was inflamed and covered with scabs, and he was constantly scratching himself. The inspector noted the presence of green discharge from both of Rocky’s eyes and observed that his claws were extremely overgrown, indicating neglect and a lack of proper care. The inspector confirmed that Bell admitted he had not taken Rocky to the veterinarian, despite being advised to do so.

Following the inspection, Rocky was seized by the RSPCA and immediately taken to a veterinary clinic. The dog received urgent treatment, including antibiotics to address his eye infections, which led to a significant improvement in his condition. However, veterinary assessments indicated that Rocky would require ongoing, lifelong treatment for his skin problems, which had been left untreated for an extended period.

At South East Northumberland Magistrates’ Court, Bell pleaded guilty to a charge of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal. Judith Curry, representing the RSPCA, explained that the case was brought to court because Bell’s neglect demonstrated an inability to properly care for his pet. She emphasized that Rocky’s condition was severe and that the neglect was evident enough to warrant legal action. Curry described Rocky’s condition as “severe fur loss and its skin was extremely red and inflamed. It was also scabby,” and added that the dog was “constantly scratching and there was green gunge coming from both of its eyes, and its claws were extremely overgrown.”

In her statement, Curry highlighted the importance of the case, stating, “This is a case where the real reason for bringing this matter to court is, as it’s obvious the defendant is not capable of caring for an animal, for a disqualification from keeping animals.”

Graham Crouth, representing Bell, provided context for his client’s neglect, explaining that Bell had mental health and cognitive issues stemming from suffering two fractured skulls during childhood and adolescence. Crouth acknowledged that Bell had taken Rocky to the PDSA at one point but failed to follow up with further veterinary appointments, which resulted in Rocky’s health deteriorating further or remaining inadequately treated.

As part of the court’s sentence, Bell was ordered to pay £300 in costs and was subjected to a lifelong ban on keeping animals, reflecting the severity of his neglect and the need to prevent future incidents of animal cruelty. This case underscores the importance of responsible pet ownership and the consequences of neglecting animal welfare, especially in cases where the owner’s mental health issues may impair their ability to care for their pets properly.