MICHAEL GRIFFIN AND JADE EATWELL FROM CRUMLIN FACE JUSTICE OVER PUPPY'S SUFFERING

In a case that has shocked animal welfare advocates, Michael Griffin and Jade Eatwell, residents of Hector Avenue in Crumlin, Newport, have been found guilty of neglecting their young beagle puppy, Narla, leading to severe suffering and injury. The incident highlights the importance of responsible pet ownership and the devastating consequences of neglect.

According to court records, the couple admitted to causing unnecessary pain to Narla by failing to seek proper veterinary care for her broken leg. The injury was reportedly sustained in an accident, which the RSPCA accepted as genuine due to the absence of evidence suggesting any malicious intent. Despite the injury, Griffin and Eatwell did not provide the necessary medical attention, allowing the puppy to endure prolonged pain and suffering.

The RSPCA took custody of Narla in September 2023, after a visit to the couple’s residence on Hector Avenue. During this visit, RSPCA Deputy Chief Inspector Gemma Black observed the puppy, who was approximately 16 to 17 weeks old at the time. She recounted that Narla immediately approached her upon seeing her, but was noticeably limping and not using her front left leg. Black noted that the puppy was wearing a large, fluffy sock over a bandage, which Eatwell explained was to support the injured limb after she had fallen from a bedroom window earlier that week.

Eatwell further disclosed that Narla had not received veterinary treatment and that she had simply bandaged her leg to provide some support. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, Black sought immediate veterinary attention for Narla, and Eatwell consented to her receiving anesthesia, sedatives, X-rays, and any necessary treatment. The veterinary assessment confirmed that Narla’s leg was broken, requiring complex surgical intervention. The following day, police transferred her to the RSPCA’s Newbrook Animal Hospital for further care and surgery.

Veterinary records, including a statement from Dr. Jonathan Fitzmaurice, detailed the extent of Narla’s injuries. He described her as being 10 out of 10 lame but still alert and bright. After administering pain relief, X-rays revealed a fracture in her humerus. Dr. Fitzmaurice concluded that the owners had failed in their duty of care by neglecting to seek prompt veterinary attention, allowing her to suffer unnecessarily from the time she fell until she was rescued.

Since her rescue, Narla has been renamed Bonnie and is now thriving in her foster home. Her carers, who are now eligible to adopt her following the legal proceedings, expressed their affection for her. They described her as a lively, loving puppy who enjoys the beach and has boundless energy. They look forward to taking her on holiday later in the year, where she can run freely in the sand.

In addition to the case involving Narla, authorities have placed a seizure order on other animals owned by Griffin and Eatwell, reflecting ongoing concerns about their overall animal care practices. The court sentenced both individuals to a 12-month community order. Eatwell was also ordered to complete 60 hours of unpaid work, while Griffin received a similar community order along with a £120 fine. Furthermore, both were ordered to pay costs totaling £514, including victim surcharges. They are also disqualified from owning animals for the next ten years, a ban that will expire in June 2034.

This case underscores the critical importance of responsible pet ownership and the devastating impact neglect can have on vulnerable animals. The community and animal welfare organizations hope that such prosecutions serve as a warning to others about the serious consequences of failing to care for pets properly.