REBECCA MOORE AND ANDREW THOMAS SHOCKINGLY ESCAPE JAIL DESPITE HORRIFIC ANIMAL CRUELTY IN FARNWORTH AND BOLTON

In June 2023, a disturbing case of animal neglect came to light involving Rebecca Moore and Andrew Thomas, whose actions towards their pet dogs in Farnworth and Bolton have sparked outrage and concern within the community. Despite the severity of the conditions uncovered, the pair avoided immediate imprisonment, though they faced significant legal repercussions.

Inspectors from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) responded to a distress call about the state of the animals kept at a residence on Tudor Avenue in Farnworth. Upon arrival, they encountered scenes that were nothing short of appalling. Ryan King, the investigator assigned to the case, described the interior of the property as a scene of utter neglect and decay. He recounted finding the remains of a dog in a state of advanced decomposition, with the smell of faeces, ammonia, and rot permeating the air, even with a face mask in place.

At the property, authorities discovered a total of eight live animals, including three French bulldogs, a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and four cats. The conditions in which these animals were kept were deplorable. The home was littered with rubbish and animal waste, with faeces covering the floors and overflowing from cages. Three dog cages were found in the room; two of them were filthy, while the third was positioned at an awkward angle, preventing any dog from entering or exiting comfortably. The scene was further compounded by the discovery of the remains of a dog on a ripped-up sofa, which revealed bones, fur, and a flea collar, indicating the animal had suffered and died in these conditions.

The bathroom was similarly filthy, with faeces and rubbish strewn across the floor. In an adjacent bedroom, a rabbit cage was found atop a set of drawers next to a bunk bed, containing the remains of a rabbit that had also perished in the squalid environment. Several of the surviving dogs exhibited signs of health issues, including fleas, itching, and discharge from their eyes or ears. One dog was diagnosed with a prolapsed third eyelid gland and inflammation, highlighting the neglect and poor welfare these animals endured.

Veterinary experts testified that the environment was grossly unhygienic and detrimental to the animals’ well-being. They expressed concern that four of the dogs and four cats had suffered due to the neglect, and that the basic needs of all nine animals had not been met. The police seized all the living animals, which are now under the care of the RSPCA, with plans to rehome them and ensure their future safety.

In court, Moore, aged 44, and Thomas, aged 42, received a sentence of two years in prison, but this was suspended for 18 months. Additionally, they were disqualified from keeping any animals indefinitely, a measure intended to prevent further cruelty. The court also imposed a community sentence requiring 20 days of rehabilitation activities and 300 hours of unpaid work. The sentencing took place on June 8 at Bolton Crown Court, where the pair was held accountable for causing unnecessary suffering to the four dogs and neglecting the needs of the other animals under their care.

This case underscores the importance of animal welfare laws and the ongoing efforts of authorities to combat cruelty and neglect. Despite the shocking nature of the findings, Moore and Thomas’s punishment reflects a judicial acknowledgment of the severity of their actions, even as they avoided immediate imprisonment.