BRISTOL COURT SENTENCES LUKE BUTLER, REBECCA WHITLOW, AND CLAIRE POORE FOR ANIMAL NEGLECT CASE

In 2020, Luke Butler, born on September 20, 1995, of 23 Mayfield Park South, Fishponds, Bristol BS16 3NF, along with his girlfriend Rebecca Whitlow, born circa 2000, and her mother Claire Poore, aka Claire Hodges, born circa 1980, of Speedwell Avenue, St George, Bristol BS5 8DN, were convicted of neglect after leaving their dog in severe pain with multiple health issues.

Luke Butler, Whitlow, and Poore pleaded guilty to two charges of animal neglect regarding Hugo, a six-year-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier. The dog was in such poor health that he had to be euthanized.

The trio ignored Hugo’s screams of pain, displaying a callous attitude towards his suffering. Co-accused Claire Poore was also involved in the neglect.

Hugo was found in a dire condition, with the worst flea infestation a vet had ever documented. He was blinded in one eye and could barely stand. His ribs were clearly visible, and he scored only three out of nine on a vet’s body condition assessment.

Judge Lynne Matthews described the defendants’ conduct as “staggering.” The court heard that Butler initially purchased Hugo but could not keep him at his home due to the presence of cats and other animals owned by his mother.

Claire Poore, a mother of five, had little interest in caring for Hugo. Instead, the dog was kept at Whitlow’s home, despite her mother’s reluctance. In July 2019, friends of the family offered to take Hugo for a walk, knowing he was rarely walked, as Butler, Whitlow, and Poore claimed they lacked the time.

On July 27, 2019, the friends arrived by car to take Hugo to Brean Sands beach, with Poore and Whitlow at home with the dog.

Prosecutor Lindi Meyer recounted, “When Claire Poore brought out Hugo, he was screaming with pain. He was barely walking, hopping along and dragging his back legs. His left eye was closed and discharge-covered, and his coat was infested with fleas.”

The friends advised Poore that Hugo needed urgent veterinary care. When neither she nor Whitlow agreed to take Hugo to the vets, they called the PDSA charity, which examined Hugo and confirmed his critical condition.

The vet found Hugo had minimal body fat, was reluctant to walk due to pain, and was ‘knuckling,’ indicating injury. Both hind legs were being dragged. The veterinarian stated Hugo’s flea infestation was the worst she had seen.

After a week, Butler agreed with the vet that Hugo should be euthanized.

All three defendants acknowledged their joint responsibility for Hugo’s neglect, each pleading guilty to causing unnecessary suffering and failing to meet his needs. They admitted to neglecting Hugo over a prolonged period.

Defense solicitor Robyn Rowland noted that Hugo’s condition worsened within a week but was challenged by the judge’s remark pointing to the low body condition score indicating prolonged neglect.

Rowland defended Butler as someone who generally cares for animals, stating, “Mr. Butler acknowledges that he didn’t check on the animal as much as he should. He is incredibly remorseful, as they all are. This was not a case of deliberate mistreatment but a stark learning experience.”

He also described Whitlow, who was only 18 at the time, as naive and lacking understanding about caring for animals. Poore, a mother of five including a two-year-old, was described as tearful and overwhelmed.

District Judge Lynne Matthews sharply criticized the defendants, emphasizing that their failure to act in Hugo’s pain resulted in his death. She said, “It’s said you loved that dog but didn’t look after it. I say you didn’t look after the dog and the dog has lost its life. If you are not capable of caring for a dog, don’t have one.”

The judge highlighted the severity of their neglect, comparing it to a child in pain, and pointing out their inexcusable inaction.

Regarding sentencing, Poore received a 12-month community order with 100 hours of community service and a five-year ban on owning dogs. Butler and Whitlow received suspended ten-week prison sentences, each with 300 hours of community service, and a five-year ban on keeping any animals, valid until January 2025.

The court’s judgment also singled out Whitlow for her particularly callous attitude, criticizing her for failing to take Hugo to the vet or even accompany him with friends offering to do so. The case underscores the importance of animal welfare and the consequences of neglect.