NICOLE NEWTON-SMITH SENTENCED IN SHEFFIELD FOR NEGLECTING SEVEN MALNOURISHED DOGS

Nicola Newton-Smith, born on 22 March 1991 and residing on Deerlands Avenue, Parson Green, Sheffield S5, was convicted in 2025 for cruelty after keeping seven dogs in deplorable conditions. The dogs, which included English bull terriers, French bulldogs, Lhasa Poo, and a pug, were discovered living amidst mud and faeces at her property in Parson Cross before being rescued by RSPCA officers.

Newton-Smith pleaded guilty to three offences under the Animal Welfare Act following a prosecution initiated by the RSPCA.

Court proceedings revealed that inspectors Leanne Booth and Jack Taylor visited the residence in September 2023 after being alerted to the dogs’ dire living conditions. In her statement to the court, Inspector Booth described the scene: “I could hear what sounded like cage doors opening and closing and then air freshener being sprayed. The kitchen of the property was squalid, with mud and faeces all over the floor.

“The cages looked filthy but each had one, new unused puppy training pad placed inside. It was obvious they had just been put there and had not been used by the dogs as they were covered in mud and faeces and the pads were clean.”

The court was informed that when the pads were lifted, dried, crumbling faeces, alongside fresh waste and urine, could be seen underneath. Only one cage had a bed and an overturned dish, while the others were barren. An additional training cage in a cluttered bedroom was also observed.

All seven dogs were seized by police, who were at the property due to an unrelated matter, and transported to a veterinary facility for examination. It was revealed that six of the dogs had untreated eye and ear infections. The female Lhasa Poo was found to have matted fur on her chest and legs and weighed just 2.7kg, suggesting she had been deprived of adequate food for several weeks, according to a vet.

In mitigation, the court was told Newton-Smith was “emotionally very attached” to her dogs and did not intend to cause harm. She struggled with poor mental health and was the sole caretaker for her partner. The situation had become overwhelming for her, and she failed to seek help. It was stated that when fewer dogs were present, she managed better, but things worsened as more dogs arrived from well-meaning individuals, explained her solicitor.

During the investigation, all the dogs were signed over to the RSPCA, which reported that they had all made good progress under the care of the Doncaster and Rotherham Branch and had since been rehomed.

Inspector Booth commented after the hearing: “Conditions at the property were unacceptable and not appropriate for humans or animals alike. The dogs’ most basic needs were not being met, and they were living in dirty cages with no stimulation and nowhere dry or comfortable to rest. The team at our Doncaster and Rotherham Branch did a fantastic job to rehabilitate these dogs and find them loving new homes.”

In sentencing, Newton-Smith received a 12-month community order with up to 15 days of rehabilitation activities, court costs of £126, and a surcharge of £114. She is also banned from owning animals for four years, until February 2029.