NATHAN THOMAS PYLE AND SHANNON ADAM SENTENCED FOR HORRIFIC ANIMAL CRUELTY IN DARLINGTON AND MIDDLESBROUGH

A heartbreaking case of animal cruelty has come to light involving a Malinois dog named Midnight, who suffered immensely at the hands of her owners, Nathan Thomas Pyle and Shannon Adam. The incident, which unfolded in the towns of Darlington and Middlesbrough, has drawn widespread condemnation from animal welfare organizations and the local community alike.

It all began in September 2023 when the RSPCA launched an investigation following disturbing reports of a severely malnourished dog living in deplorable conditions in the garden of a property in Darlington. The authorities responded swiftly, attempting to conduct an inspection at the residence. However, access was repeatedly denied, and attempts to examine the dog were thwarted by the owners, who were not always present at the property. Despite these obstacles, the RSPCA persisted, and by October 2023, an animal rescue officer was able to observe Midnight confined in a small, inadequate kennel. The conditions were appalling: the kennel was dark, filthy, wet, and lacked any form of bedding or weather protection, clearly unsuitable for a living creature.

As the investigation continued, further reports emerged. By December, it was confirmed that Midnight had been rehomed after her original living conditions had deteriorated to a state of severe disrepair. The kennel was filled with faeces, stale food, and the floors were frozen, indicating neglect and a lack of basic care. Tragically, later that day, the officer returned to the property following a report that Midnight had died. Upon examination, the remains of the dog revealed a shocking level of suffering: she was severely emaciated, with her bones prominently visible through her skin, and she had open sores and dark fluid leaking from her back end. Shannon Adam admitted to the dog's death, revealing that Midnight had been discarded outside in a bin bag. The veterinary report confirmed that the cause of death was starvation and exposure, highlighting the extreme neglect and cruelty inflicted upon her.

Both Nathan Thomas Pyle and Shannon Adam faced charges under the Animal Welfare Act (2006), to which they pleaded guilty. During the court proceedings, Shannon claimed that her partner was primarily responsible for the dog's suffering, while Nathan cited immaturity and expressed remorse for his actions. The court sentenced Shannon to 18 weeks in custody, suspended for 24 months, along with 150 hours of unpaid work, a fine of £720, and other penalties. Nathan received a similar suspended custodial sentence on April 9, 2025, accompanied by additional fines and community service obligations. The case has been described by an RSPCA spokesperson as both tragic and unacceptable, emphasizing the profound suffering Midnight endured and the importance of holding offenders accountable to prevent such cruelty from happening again.