LEE MORRIS FROM TELFORD SENTENCED FOR CRUELTY TO DOG IN SHROPSHIRE

Lee Morris, a resident of Telford, was convicted in 2014 for the severe neglect and mistreatment of a dog he owned. The incident took place in the town of Wellington, where Morris was living at the time on Clunbury Road. The case drew significant attention after authorities discovered the dog in a state of extreme emaciation, confined within a garden shed that served as its makeshift shelter.

According to court records, Morris, who later resided on Viewlands Drive in Trench, admitted to causing unnecessary suffering to an unnamed Staffordshire Bull Terrier that he had owned for approximately twelve years. The dog’s condition was so dire that veterinary assessments confirmed it had been suffering for roughly four weeks without adequate nourishment before the animal was handed over to the RSPCA.

The investigation was initiated after concerned members of the public contacted the RSPCA, prompting officers to visit Morris’s residence. During the visit, Morris was cooperative and candid about the dog’s condition. An inspector was taken to the garden shed where the dog was kept, and what they found was distressing. The dog was described as skeletal, with ribs clearly visible through its skin, and its eyes appeared sunken. Additionally, the animal was unsteady on its legs, indicating severe weakness and malnutrition.

Morris explained to the inspectors that he had intended to take the dog to the veterinarian that very evening to have her euthanized. Recognizing the severity of her condition, he signed the dog over to the RSPCA for care. At the time of rescue, the dog weighed only 7.45 kilograms, whereas the typical weight for her breed should have been around 12.5 kilograms. Her body condition score was rated as one on a scale where one signifies emaciation and nine indicates obesity. Tests conducted on the dog revealed no underlying illness that could explain her refusal to eat; in fact, she ate eagerly when food was provided.

Veterinary experts concluded that the dog was in an extremely poor physical state, with the suffering likely spanning about four weeks. The vet emphasized that the dog was capable of eating and was very eager to do so, which underscored the neglect she had endured. Since her rescue, the dog has been fostered by a new family, who have successfully helped her regain approximately 90 percent of her ideal weight.

During sentencing, probation officer Phil Kaleta highlighted Morris’s acknowledgment of responsibility. Morris, described as a normal, hardworking man who was going through a difficult period following his divorce, did not attempt to justify his actions. He admitted that his behavior was wrong and expressed remorse.

The court handed down a sentence that included a suspended prison term, 230 hours of unpaid community work, and a financial penalty of £1,800. Additionally, Morris was subjected to a lifetime ban from owning animals. It was also noted that Morris owns a construction company called Morris Building Solutions Ltd., which was not directly related to the case but added context to his background.