REDRUTH DOG ABUSE CASE: LUKE AND MELISSA HANKINS SENTENCED FOR STARVING ELDERLY STAFFY BENSON

Luke and Melissa Hankins, both born around 1992 and residents of 29 Trenoweth Estate in North Country, Redruth, faced serious legal consequences after being convicted of neglecting their dog, Benson. The couple’s neglectful actions, which spanned from December 2021 to March 2022, involved allowing their 14-year-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier to suffer from severe malnutrition and neglect despite repeated warnings and intervention attempts by local authorities.

According to court records, the Hankins, who are parents to four young children, pleaded guilty to two charges of causing unnecessary suffering to Benson by failing to investigate his poor body condition and weight loss. The case highlighted a prolonged period of neglect that ultimately led to Benson being found in a critically emaciated state. The authorities detailed how Benson was muzzled and allowed to starve to the point of extreme thinness, with his ribs, spine, and pelvic bones clearly visible. The elderly dog was discovered on March 21, 2022, by a member of the public who found him wandering the streets of Redruth. Benson was immediately taken into custody by the RSPCA and transported to veterinary professionals for urgent care.

Veterinary examinations revealed the extent of Benson’s suffering. The dog was severely underweight, weighing only 12 kilograms at the time of seizure, a stark contrast to his healthier weight of 21 kilograms just four months earlier. The vets observed that Benson’s ears were waxy, he was suffering from an eye condition, and he had been biting and rubbing himself due to skin issues. The skin loss was attributed to the tightly fitted muzzle, which had prevented him from eating, drinking, barking, or engaging in normal activities. Additionally, the prolonged period of sleeping on hard surfaces contributed to his hair loss.

Prosecutor Lindi Meyer explained to the court that Benson’s skeletal appearance was the result of prolonged food deprivation, which she stated had likely caused him suffering over several months. The neglect was characterized as a long-term failure to provide proper care, despite Cornwall Council’s repeated attempts to advise the Hankins on their dogs’ health and welfare. The couple’s repeated failure to heed veterinary advice and enforcement notices was described as a significant factor in the case.

During the court proceedings, Luke Hankins expressed remorse, stating, “I miss him but never starved him. I’m very sorry. I was scared the vets would put him down but wish I got help sooner.” Melissa Hankins also conveyed regret, saying, “We are very sorry for what happened to that dog. We were struggling as a family but I know that isn’t an excuse. We hope Benson is now getting the care he deserves.”

Thanks to the dedicated efforts of the RSPCA Cornwall, Benson was rehabilitated and is now enjoying his later years in a loving and caring home. The court noted that the neglect had lasted for approximately a decade, affecting all of the Hankins’ animals, which have since been rehomed.

In sentencing, the magistrates imposed a 12-week custodial sentence, suspended for 18 months, along with a requirement for rehabilitation activities. The couple was ordered to pay £400 each towards RSPCA costs and a victim surcharge. Additionally, they received a ban from keeping animals for 15 years, reflecting the severity of their neglect and failure to comply with veterinary and enforcement advice.