LINDA CLARK AND GORDON ROACH SHOCK BIRKENHEAD WITH CRUELTY CASE INVOLVING ABANDONED DOG IN FLAYBRICK CEMETERY

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Birkenhead, two individuals, Linda Clark and Gordon Roach, have been brought to justice for their roles in the neglect and abandonment of a beloved family dog. The incident, which unfolded in the quiet surroundings of Flaybrick Cemetery, has sparked widespread outrage and calls for stricter animal welfare enforcement.

Linda Susan Clark, born on April 3, 1951, and residing at Cannon Hill, Prenton, Birkenhead with the postcode CH43 4XR, was convicted of causing unnecessary suffering to her dog, a cross-breed named Trouble. Clark, who had owned the dog since he was a puppy, failed to seek proper veterinary care for Trouble’s worsening arthritis and injuries. Instead, she claimed to have handed the dog over to a friend’s son, who assured her he would take Trouble to the RSPCA or a veterinarian for treatment.

However, the dog was found in a severely neglected state, abandoned in a remote part of Flaybrick Cemetery. The discovery was made after the dog, later named Elmo by veterinary staff, was spotted in the undergrowth. When examined, veterinary professionals found that the dog was suffering from multiple bone fractures and joint dislocations, all caused by an untreated arthritic condition. The severity of his injuries indicated that he had been in excruciating pain and discomfort for an extended period.

The investigation revealed that Trouble’s condition was dire, with X-rays confirming the extent of his injuries. The neglect was so severe that veterinary staff had no choice but to put him to sleep to end his suffering. The case drew significant public attention, with an online petition launched to demand justice for the dog, reflecting the community’s outrage at the cruelty involved.

Adding to the tragedy, Gordon David Roach, born on May 17, 1975, of Dundonald Street, Birkenhead, admitted to dumping Trouble in the cemetery after Clark handed him the dog. Roach’s actions, which involved abandoning the suffering animal rather than seeking help, further compounded the case’s severity. He was identified as the person who left the dog in the cemetery, a decision that ultimately led to the dog’s tragic end.

Following the court proceedings, RSPCA Inspector Anthony Joynes expressed his dismay at the case’s outcome. He emphasized the importance of public involvement in animal welfare investigations, thanking the community for their assistance. Inspector Joynes highlighted that Trouble’s injuries, including multiple fractures and joint dislocations, were the result of neglect and untreated medical conditions, which would have caused him immense pain daily for many months, if not longer.

He condemned the neglect, stating, “Animals rely on us completely to provide veterinary care for them when they become ill or are injured. Failing to do this is a criminal offence which not only the RSPCA but the courts take seriously. It is also something that the public clearly won’t stand for and rightly so as animal cruelty and neglect is abhorrent and has no place in today’s society.”

In terms of sentencing, Linda Clark received a three-month suspended prison sentence, along with a fine of £380 in costs. She was also banned from keeping animals for ten years, a ban that will last until May 2026. Gordon Roach, on the other hand, was sentenced to four weeks in prison, suspended for two years, and was banned from keeping animals for five years, although this ban expired in May 2021. The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of animal welfare and the consequences of neglect in Birkenhead and beyond.