CHEVIOT ROAD'S MICHELLE SPOORS SENTENCED FOR CRUELTY TO ELDERLY GERMAN SHEPHERD IN CHESTER-LE-STREET

In a case that has shocked the local community of Chester-le-Street, Michelle Spoors, a resident of Cheviot Road, was found guilty of neglecting her elderly German Shepherd, Zeus, leading to his prolonged suffering and eventual euthanasia. The incident came to light in July 2017 when a concerned neighbor contacted authorities, prompting an inspection of Spoors' home.

During the visit, RSPCA inspector Kevin Campbell observed Zeus in a dire state of health. The dog was described as being in 'poor condition,' with bones visibly protruding through his skin, overgrown nails, and only a sparse amount of hair remaining on his back end. The inspector noted that Zeus was unsteady on his feet, indicating severe weakness and possible pain. The interior of Spoors' residence was also found to be in a neglected state, with bare floorboards visible throughout the home. An empty bag of dried dog food and a dirty food bowl were among the few items present, suggesting a lack of proper care and feeding.

Mr. Campbell recounted that before taking Zeus into the van for veterinary assessment, Spoors attempted to walk him, despite clear signs of suffering. The dog defecated during this walk, and the inspector described the feces as having the consistency of milky tea mixed with chow mein and vegetables, indicating severe gastrointestinal distress.

Zeus was transported to a veterinary clinic for testing. At the time, he weighed only 24 kilograms, significantly below the healthy weight of approximately 35 kilograms for a dog of his age. The veterinarian assessed Zeus as being in a condition rated four out of five on a scale where five indicates emaciation. Tests confirmed that Zeus was suffering from severe malabsorption, likely caused by a gut infection, which had gone untreated for an extended period. Unfortunately, the prognosis was poor, and the dog could not be saved.

It was revealed that Spoors had handed Zeus over to the authorities immediately after the inspection and had previously attempted to rehome him, but these efforts were unsuccessful. During her court appearance, Spoors, who chose to represent herself, claimed she was 'struggling to cope with everything in life' and rarely left her house. She expressed remorse but maintained that she did not realize the extent of Zeus's suffering.

The court sentenced Spoors to a five-year ban on keeping any animals, a restriction that was set to be reviewable from November 2020. The ban officially expired in November 2022, but the case has left a lasting impact on the community and highlights the importance of animal welfare and responsible pet ownership in Chester-le-Street.