NATHAN PARKER AND SAMANTHA RILEY FROM LEEDS SENTENCED FOR CRUELTY AND ABANDONMENT OF DOG

In a disturbing case that has shocked the local community, Nathan Parker and Samantha Riley, both residents of Leeds, faced justice after their involvement in the neglect and subsequent abandonment of their pet dog. The incident came to light when RSPCA inspectors discovered the lifeless body of a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, named Stella, discarded among rubbish at the couple’s residence.

According to reports, Parker, born on January 19, 1994, previously resided in the Burmantofts area of Leeds, but by May 2020, he was living at Red Kite Mews in Wath-upon-Dearne, Rotherham, with the postcode S63 7FQ. Samantha Riley, born around 1992, also hails from Leeds. The tragic case unfolded in November 2012, when a concerned member of the public contacted the RSPCA’s cruelty line, prompting an investigation into the welfare of the dog.

Inspectors arrived at the property and found Stella’s body wrapped in a duvet cover and a bin bag, discarded in the rubbish. Inspector Sarah Bricoe described the scene, stating, “This dog starved and died in their home and was literally put out with the rubbish.” The discovery was particularly heartbreaking, as the vet’s examination revealed that Stella had been starved for approximately six to eight weeks before her death. The last 48 hours of her life were marked by severe suffering, as she contracted pneumonia, struggling to breathe in her final moments.

During the investigation, Parker and Riley initially denied ownership of Stella, but as evidence accumulated, they eventually admitted to owning her. Witnesses confirmed their ownership, and CCTV footage showed them removing the bin bag containing Stella’s body. Further inspection revealed that the duvet cover she was wrapped in matched the pillowcases found in the couple’s flat, providing additional proof of their connection to the dog.

Inspector Bricoe emphasized the gravity of the case, remarking, “This was a very serious case which has rightly resulted in a very serious sentence. This dog suffered for a long time – the vet estimated she was starved for six to eight weeks before contracting pneumonia in the last 48 hours, when she would have been struggling to breathe. In cases like this, we always hope for a life ban on keeping animals as the best way of preventing others from suffering in future.”

In terms of sentencing, Nathan Parker, who was already serving time for unrelated matters, was sentenced to 16 weeks in prison. Samantha Riley received a 12-week prison sentence, which was suspended for 12 months. Additionally, Riley was given a 30-day community order and ordered to pay costs amounting to £250. Both individuals were banned from keeping any animals for the rest of their lives, a measure aimed at preventing similar tragedies from occurring again in the future.