PETER BEDFORD ABANDONS DOGS IN FILTHY WHITEFIELD HOUSE, FACING CRIMINAL CHARGES

Peter Christopher Bedford, also known as Pedro Bedford and born in 1983, has been at the center of a disturbing case involving the neglect and abandonment of his two dogs in Whitefield, Bury, Manchester. Bedford, who resides on Brierley Avenue in Whitefield, was found to have left his animals in deplorable conditions, living amidst a mess of rubbish, broken glass, and faeces, with no access to fresh food or water.

Concerned residents reported his prolonged absence from the property, which prompted the RSPCA to intervene. Inspector Rachel Whalley, along with Animal Rescue Officer Jessica Pierce and police officers, executed a forced entry into the house after discovering that the back door had been barricaded with a mattress and other belongings. Once inside, they encountered a scene of squalor: the floors were covered with piles of faeces, and the air was thick with the smell of ammonia and decay. Flies swarmed the rooms, and the environment was clearly unfit for any living creature.

In the course of the investigation, the team located two dogs: a male Staffordshire Bull Terrier-type dog named Menace and a female of the same breed called Doris. Both animals appeared extremely frightened and nervous, living in conditions that had severely compromised their health and well-being. The female dog, Doris, was found to be heavily underweight, with her ribs and hip bones prominently visible, and she was nursing a recent litter, as indicated by her teats. She also bore scars and a superficial wound above her left eye.

Both dogs were taken to the RSPCA’s Greater Manchester Animal Hospital for assessment. The veterinarian reported that Menace weighed only 17 kilograms (37.4 pounds) and was rated with a body condition score of 2 out of 9, indicating severe malnutrition. His ribs, lumbar vertebrae, and pelvic bones were easily palpable, and he lacked any visible fat reserves. Doris weighed 15.2 kilograms (33.5 pounds) and received a score of 3 out of 9, also indicating poor health. She had a scabbed wound above her eye and scars between her eye and ear, with enlarged mammaries but no milk present.

In court, the RSPCA inspector detailed how Bedford had failed to provide his dogs with a safe, clean, warm, and comfortable environment. The animals lacked access to clean water, proper nutrition, and veterinary care, leading to unnecessary suffering. Inspector Whalley stated that Bedford’s prolonged absence from the property was a clear neglect of his responsibilities as an owner. Despite multiple attempts to contact him—beginning on July 11, 2023, after obtaining his number through a third party—Bedford claimed that a family member was checking on the dogs daily, but he had not returned to the property for over a week. He also stated that Doris had recently given birth to a litter, which he had managed to rehome.

Throughout July and August, Inspector Whalley made numerous efforts to meet Bedford at the property for interviews, but he repeatedly failed to appear. Notices were left on the door, and the garden became increasingly overgrown, indicating his continued absence. By August 2, neighbors confirmed that Bedford had not been seen at the house for more than two months.

Following the case, Inspector Whalley emphasized the importance of responsible pet ownership, stating, “Menace and Doris had more or less been left to fend for themselves for long periods of time in conditions that were wholly unacceptable. Life often throws changes in circumstance at us but it’s important to ensure the needs of animals you are responsible for are always met.”

Currently, both dogs remain in the care of the RSPCA and are making good progress towards recovery. Bedford faced sentencing that included a 12-month community order, 40 hours of unpaid work, and 20 days of rehabilitation. Additionally, he was banned from keeping animals for three years, with the ban set to expire in May 2027.