PETER ESEN'S CRUELTY IN SWALWELL: ELDERLY DOG LEFT TO SUFFER WITH LIFE-THREATENING INFECTION
| Red Rose Database
Swalwell Animal Abuser
Peter Enobong Akpan Esen, born June 1989 and residing on Rosebud Close in Swalwell, Newcastle upon Tyne NE16 3DF, has been found guilty of neglecting his elderly dog, an underweight husky named Alex, and failing to seek urgent veterinary care for her critical uterine infection.
According to court proceedings, Esen left his 13-year-old dog unattended at his home for a minimum of 48 hours, during which Alex was suffering from pyometra—a severe and potentially fatal condition affecting the uterus of unspayed, older female dogs. The condition requires immediate surgical intervention, but unfortunately, her owner did not provide the necessary care.
Inspectors from the RSPCA visited Esen’s property following reports that the dog had been abandoned. On 14 February 2023, they sealed both the front door and the back gate of the residence to prevent entry and to preserve the scene for investigation. A subsequent visit the next day confirmed that the seals remained intact, and the property appeared unchanged. During this visit, Inspector Rachael Hurst observed a black and white husky-type dog inside the house through the glass door. She noted the presence of numerous empty cans of dog food scattered across the floor and in the rear garden, some of which showed signs of being chewed, with visible teeth marks.
When Inspector Hurst knocked on the door, there was no response, and the dog appeared in the hallway behind the door. Local residents were questioned, but none knew the whereabouts of Esen or the dog’s owner. The following day, the inspector returned to find the same scene—seals still intact, the dog still inside, and no sign of the owner. She then contacted Northumbria Police for assistance.
During an initial examination, the dog was found to be severely underweight, with her spine, hips, and ribs easily felt through her skin. Her nails were overgrown and splayed in different directions, indicating neglect and lack of proper exercise. The dog was taken to a veterinary clinic, where she was diagnosed with pyometra. Emergency surgery was performed, and she was hospitalized overnight.
At the vet, Alex was weighed and found to be only 20kg, whereas a healthy weight for her breed typically ranges between 22kg and 25kg. Her body condition score was just two out of nine, suggesting she had lost significant muscle mass and fat over several months. The overgrown claws further indicated a lack of adequate activity and care. The veterinarian explained that the fluid and pressure in her uterus posed an imminent risk of rupture, which would have resulted in a slow and painful death from sepsis if intervention had been delayed.
In their written evidence, the vet emphasized that the symptoms had likely been present for one to three days prior to diagnosis. They stated that if the dog had been living in a properly occupied household, her condition would have been identified earlier, allowing for timely veterinary treatment. The neglect shown by Esen in leaving her unchecked for so long was deemed unacceptable.
Further visits to Esen’s home on 18 March revealed that the tape seals on the door and gate were still intact, and no one was at the property. Despite attempts to contact him by phone, Esen could not be reached. Eventually, after speaking with someone familiar with him, Inspector Hurst met Esen at his residence and conducted an interview. During this conversation, Esen admitted that he had not cleaned the house and claimed to have been away. He also stated that he had messaged someone to provide a tin of dog food but had not confirmed whether this had been done. When asked about Alex’s weight, he insisted he did not believe she was underweight.
After her rescue, Alex was placed in the care of an RSPCA rehoming center. Sadly, her health continued to decline, and she was found to have mammary tumors. On veterinary advice, she was euthanized at the end of the previous year.
Inspector Rachael Hurst commented on the case, saying, “Alex was an elderly dog who was being left unattended with a life-threatening condition in an unsuitable and hazardous environment. Sadly, she’d been let down by her owner and not received the care and attention she deserved in her later years. This case highlights the importance of responsible pet ownership and the need to seek help if you are unable to care for an animal properly.”
In sentencing, Esen received an 18-month community order, which includes 15 days of rehabilitation activity requirements and 150 hours of unpaid work. He was also ordered to pay £128.60 in costs. Additionally, he received a ten-year ban on keeping animals, which cannot be contested for five years and will expire in April 2034.
According to court proceedings, Esen left his 13-year-old dog unattended at his home for a minimum of 48 hours, during which Alex was suffering from pyometra—a severe and potentially fatal condition affecting the uterus of unspayed, older female dogs. The condition requires immediate surgical intervention, but unfortunately, her owner did not provide the necessary care.
Inspectors from the RSPCA visited Esen’s property following reports that the dog had been abandoned. On 14 February 2023, they sealed both the front door and the back gate of the residence to prevent entry and to preserve the scene for investigation. A subsequent visit the next day confirmed that the seals remained intact, and the property appeared unchanged. During this visit, Inspector Rachael Hurst observed a black and white husky-type dog inside the house through the glass door. She noted the presence of numerous empty cans of dog food scattered across the floor and in the rear garden, some of which showed signs of being chewed, with visible teeth marks.
When Inspector Hurst knocked on the door, there was no response, and the dog appeared in the hallway behind the door. Local residents were questioned, but none knew the whereabouts of Esen or the dog’s owner. The following day, the inspector returned to find the same scene—seals still intact, the dog still inside, and no sign of the owner. She then contacted Northumbria Police for assistance.
During an initial examination, the dog was found to be severely underweight, with her spine, hips, and ribs easily felt through her skin. Her nails were overgrown and splayed in different directions, indicating neglect and lack of proper exercise. The dog was taken to a veterinary clinic, where she was diagnosed with pyometra. Emergency surgery was performed, and she was hospitalized overnight.
At the vet, Alex was weighed and found to be only 20kg, whereas a healthy weight for her breed typically ranges between 22kg and 25kg. Her body condition score was just two out of nine, suggesting she had lost significant muscle mass and fat over several months. The overgrown claws further indicated a lack of adequate activity and care. The veterinarian explained that the fluid and pressure in her uterus posed an imminent risk of rupture, which would have resulted in a slow and painful death from sepsis if intervention had been delayed.
In their written evidence, the vet emphasized that the symptoms had likely been present for one to three days prior to diagnosis. They stated that if the dog had been living in a properly occupied household, her condition would have been identified earlier, allowing for timely veterinary treatment. The neglect shown by Esen in leaving her unchecked for so long was deemed unacceptable.
Further visits to Esen’s home on 18 March revealed that the tape seals on the door and gate were still intact, and no one was at the property. Despite attempts to contact him by phone, Esen could not be reached. Eventually, after speaking with someone familiar with him, Inspector Hurst met Esen at his residence and conducted an interview. During this conversation, Esen admitted that he had not cleaned the house and claimed to have been away. He also stated that he had messaged someone to provide a tin of dog food but had not confirmed whether this had been done. When asked about Alex’s weight, he insisted he did not believe she was underweight.
After her rescue, Alex was placed in the care of an RSPCA rehoming center. Sadly, her health continued to decline, and she was found to have mammary tumors. On veterinary advice, she was euthanized at the end of the previous year.
Inspector Rachael Hurst commented on the case, saying, “Alex was an elderly dog who was being left unattended with a life-threatening condition in an unsuitable and hazardous environment. Sadly, she’d been let down by her owner and not received the care and attention she deserved in her later years. This case highlights the importance of responsible pet ownership and the need to seek help if you are unable to care for an animal properly.”
In sentencing, Esen received an 18-month community order, which includes 15 days of rehabilitation activity requirements and 150 hours of unpaid work. He was also ordered to pay £128.60 in costs. Additionally, he received a ten-year ban on keeping animals, which cannot be contested for five years and will expire in April 2034.