KIERAN FOWLER'S CRUEL NEGLIGENCE IN MIDDLESBROUGH LEADS TO PET'S SUFFERING

Kieran Benjamin Fowler, born on August 21, 1993, and residing on Palm Street in Middlesbrough TS1 3EE, became the focus of a serious animal cruelty case after neglecting his pet dog, Lizzy, a pitbull-type breed. The incident, which unfolded in Middlesbrough, revealed a heartbreaking failure to seek timely veterinary assistance for the dog, who was severely injured after being hit by a car.

According to court reports, Fowler's dog Lizzy was struck by a vehicle in October 2016, resulting in a broken pelvis. Despite the severity of her injuries, Fowler did not take immediate action to get her the necessary medical treatment. Instead, he left her suffering for a period of two weeks, during which her condition worsened significantly. When Lizzy was finally taken to a veterinarian, the damage was found to be extensive: her pelvic canal had been displaced, with the bone shattered and completely torn apart. The injury was deemed inoperable, and the veterinarian made the difficult decision to euthanize her to prevent further suffering.

Fowler claimed that he had done “everything he could” to save Lizzy, but his actions were ultimately deemed insufficient by the authorities. He pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal, a charge brought forward by the RSPCA. It was revealed during the court proceedings that Fowler, who was unemployed at the time, failed to provide the essential treatment for Lizzy after she slipped her lead and was hit by the car. The incident was initially reported to the RSPCA, with the prosecution highlighting Fowler’s attempts to seek help from the PDSA charity.

Prosecutor John Ellwood explained that Fowler took Lizzy to the PDSA, claiming he could not afford treatment otherwise. The charity provided emergency pain relief and asked Fowler to return with his benefit details so they could facilitate further treatment. However, Fowler did not return immediately, and it was only on November 10, some 16 days after the initial visit, that he sought additional assistance. Despite being asked to bring Lizzy back for an X-ray, Fowler failed to do so, and the case was subsequently reported to the RSPCA.

During the trial, the court heard that Fowler believed he could wait for his benefits to cover the costs, thinking he would receive treatment at a reduced rate or for free. His defense attorney, John Nixon, argued that Fowler had attended the PDSA twice and that financial hardship was a significant barrier. Nixon emphasized that Fowler was a young man living alone with no family support, which made the potential costs of treatment overwhelming. The defense also pointed out that Lizzy did not vocalize pain and showed no signs of dehydration when examined, suggesting that Fowler’s neglect was not intentional but driven by financial constraints.

District Judge Mr. Lawrence acknowledged Fowler’s efforts to care for Lizzy but noted that his confusion about his entitlements contributed to the neglect. The judge described the injury as a short-term neglect issue, but one that resulted in significant suffering for the dog. Ultimately, Fowler was fined £300 and ordered to pay £330 in court costs. No ban on owning animals was imposed, and the case served as a stark reminder of the importance of timely veterinary care and responsible pet ownership in Middlesbrough.