PAUL WYNNE'S HORRIFIC ANIMAL ABUSE IN BOOTLE AND KIRKBY REVEALED
| Red Rose Database
Bootle Animal Abuser
Paul Wynne, born on October 27, 1981, who has lived on Rockford Avenue in Kirkby and more recently on Harris Drive in Bootle, has been convicted of severe animal neglect and cruelty. The case uncovered the tragic and disturbing circumstances surrounding the abandonment and suffering of three dogs and four ferrets under his care.
On October 29, 2022, Merseyside Police officers Lomax and Cohen responded to an urgent call at Wynne’s residence on Rockford Avenue, Kirkby. Neighbors had reported a foul smell of decay emanating from the flat, along with disturbing reports of maggots coming through the ceiling of the flat below. Concerned for human health and safety, the officers forced entry into the property. What they discovered was horrifying: the skeletal remains of three dogs in advanced stages of decomposition, indicating they had been left to die in neglectful conditions.
The RSPCA, alerted to the situation, released distressing images showing the deplorable state of the animals and the environment in which they had been kept. The property was registered under the name of Laura Martin, Wynne’s partner. On November 1, RSPCA inspector Louise Showering, accompanied by Merseyside Police, revisited the address with Ms. Martin’s permission. During this inspection, they found a black lurcher named Blue confined in a crate in the middle of the living room. Nearby, another dog, George, also a lurcher-type, was found in a cage. Both dogs were lying on filthy bedding, with the floor covered in white and black feces, and the room was infested with flies and other insects.
Further examination revealed the kitchen door was open, and on the floor lay a dead puppy named Polly, a Saluki cross, surrounded by a pool of dried blood. In the back garden, two hutches contained four ferrets. The inspector noted that the conditions of the animals’ confinement were appalling, with no food or water bowls present, and the environment was clearly neglected.
Laura Martin, described as a vulnerable individual suffering from severe health issues, had moved out of the flat to care for her sick mother. During her absence, Wynne was the sole occupant. Wynne claimed that Blue had died of a seizure and insisted there were no other dogs inside the property. However, evidence suggested a more tragic story: one of Wynne’s dogs had cannibalized another in a desperate attempt for survival, and all three dogs ultimately perished due to neglect.
Ms. Martin recounted returning to the flat with her sister on October 6, only to find the locks had been changed. She could hear dogs barking inside, which Wynne explained was due to faulty locks. She stated her first knowledge of the horrific conditions came when the RSPCA contacted her to gain entry. Between November 2022 and February 2023, Wynne was repeatedly contacted by inspector Showering but refused to communicate directly, only responding via text messages. He also canceled scheduled appointments, further delaying intervention.
Wynne eventually appeared at Kirkby police station on February 7, denying any wrongdoing. He claimed he had fed the animals well and stated that the ferrets were not his but were being looked after for a friend. He admitted he left the animals because he “couldn’t cope with what happened.”
The post-mortem examination of Blue revealed severe emaciation; the dog, which should have weighed between 27 and 32 kilograms, was only 12 kilograms. Claw nails and hair found in Blue’s stomach and small intestine indicated the dog had resorted to cannibalism, likely consuming George in a desperate attempt for survival. The court heard that the other animals had suffered immensely, with the conditions described as “prolonged cruelty and neglect.”
During mitigation, Wynne’s defense solicitor, Chelsey Kearns, acknowledged that Wynne accepted full responsibility for the prolonged suffering inflicted on the animals. She explained that Wynne had been battling depression, which he had managed successfully until these events. Kearns emphasized that the suffering was due to neglect rather than sadism and highlighted Wynne’s heavy personal burdens, including caring for his partner, her mother Marie, and his 13-year-old daughter, Lois.
Wynne pleaded guilty to three charges under the Animal Welfare Act: causing unnecessary suffering to Blue, failing to meet the needs of Blue, George, and Polly, and neglecting the four ferrets. The court, presided over by Recorder Michael Blakey, acknowledged the animals’ suffering and their painful deaths but also considered Wynne’s caring responsibilities and prospects for rehabilitation outside prison.
He was sentenced to 30 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months, with an additional 20 days of rehabilitation and 30 hours of unpaid work. Wynne was also disqualified from owning any animals for ten years, a ban that will expire in June 2033. This case highlights the tragic consequences of animal neglect and the importance of animal welfare enforcement in the Bootle and Kirkby areas.
On October 29, 2022, Merseyside Police officers Lomax and Cohen responded to an urgent call at Wynne’s residence on Rockford Avenue, Kirkby. Neighbors had reported a foul smell of decay emanating from the flat, along with disturbing reports of maggots coming through the ceiling of the flat below. Concerned for human health and safety, the officers forced entry into the property. What they discovered was horrifying: the skeletal remains of three dogs in advanced stages of decomposition, indicating they had been left to die in neglectful conditions.
The RSPCA, alerted to the situation, released distressing images showing the deplorable state of the animals and the environment in which they had been kept. The property was registered under the name of Laura Martin, Wynne’s partner. On November 1, RSPCA inspector Louise Showering, accompanied by Merseyside Police, revisited the address with Ms. Martin’s permission. During this inspection, they found a black lurcher named Blue confined in a crate in the middle of the living room. Nearby, another dog, George, also a lurcher-type, was found in a cage. Both dogs were lying on filthy bedding, with the floor covered in white and black feces, and the room was infested with flies and other insects.
Further examination revealed the kitchen door was open, and on the floor lay a dead puppy named Polly, a Saluki cross, surrounded by a pool of dried blood. In the back garden, two hutches contained four ferrets. The inspector noted that the conditions of the animals’ confinement were appalling, with no food or water bowls present, and the environment was clearly neglected.
Laura Martin, described as a vulnerable individual suffering from severe health issues, had moved out of the flat to care for her sick mother. During her absence, Wynne was the sole occupant. Wynne claimed that Blue had died of a seizure and insisted there were no other dogs inside the property. However, evidence suggested a more tragic story: one of Wynne’s dogs had cannibalized another in a desperate attempt for survival, and all three dogs ultimately perished due to neglect.
Ms. Martin recounted returning to the flat with her sister on October 6, only to find the locks had been changed. She could hear dogs barking inside, which Wynne explained was due to faulty locks. She stated her first knowledge of the horrific conditions came when the RSPCA contacted her to gain entry. Between November 2022 and February 2023, Wynne was repeatedly contacted by inspector Showering but refused to communicate directly, only responding via text messages. He also canceled scheduled appointments, further delaying intervention.
Wynne eventually appeared at Kirkby police station on February 7, denying any wrongdoing. He claimed he had fed the animals well and stated that the ferrets were not his but were being looked after for a friend. He admitted he left the animals because he “couldn’t cope with what happened.”
The post-mortem examination of Blue revealed severe emaciation; the dog, which should have weighed between 27 and 32 kilograms, was only 12 kilograms. Claw nails and hair found in Blue’s stomach and small intestine indicated the dog had resorted to cannibalism, likely consuming George in a desperate attempt for survival. The court heard that the other animals had suffered immensely, with the conditions described as “prolonged cruelty and neglect.”
During mitigation, Wynne’s defense solicitor, Chelsey Kearns, acknowledged that Wynne accepted full responsibility for the prolonged suffering inflicted on the animals. She explained that Wynne had been battling depression, which he had managed successfully until these events. Kearns emphasized that the suffering was due to neglect rather than sadism and highlighted Wynne’s heavy personal burdens, including caring for his partner, her mother Marie, and his 13-year-old daughter, Lois.
Wynne pleaded guilty to three charges under the Animal Welfare Act: causing unnecessary suffering to Blue, failing to meet the needs of Blue, George, and Polly, and neglecting the four ferrets. The court, presided over by Recorder Michael Blakey, acknowledged the animals’ suffering and their painful deaths but also considered Wynne’s caring responsibilities and prospects for rehabilitation outside prison.
He was sentenced to 30 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months, with an additional 20 days of rehabilitation and 30 hours of unpaid work. Wynne was also disqualified from owning any animals for ten years, a ban that will expire in June 2033. This case highlights the tragic consequences of animal neglect and the importance of animal welfare enforcement in the Bootle and Kirkby areas.