ROSEMARY AND PAUL WIGGIN FROM BURNTWOOD HIT WITH DOG KEEPING BAN AFTER HORRIFIC CONDITIONS

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Burntwood, Staffordshire, Rosemary and Paul Wiggin, both residents of Queen Street, were found guilty of neglecting a large number of dogs under their care. The couple, born circa 1966 and 1962 respectively, kept a total of 28 Shih-Tzu dogs along with one Chihuahua in conditions described by authorities as utterly filthy and unhygienic.

Concerns about the welfare of these animals prompted an investigation by RSPCA inspectors in July 2014. The inspectors visited the property at 181 Queen Street after receiving reports that the dogs were being kept in unacceptable circumstances. Upon arrival, they discovered a scene that was both distressing and alarming. Several of the dogs, including some that were heavily pregnant, were found in a state of neglect. Eight young puppies were left outside in heavy rain, with no shelter or protection from the elements, which raised immediate concerns about their health and safety.

An RSPCA inspector involved in the case described the conditions as wholly inappropriate. The inspector detailed hazards present in the garden, including items stored in a shed that were stained with feces, and bones scattered across the yard that posed choking risks to the animals. The puppies, in particular, were found cold, wet, and whining, with no clean or comfortable resting area available to them. The inspector expressed certainty that the animals were suffering due to these conditions.

Following the inspection, all the dogs were removed from the property based on veterinary advice, with assistance from the police. The animals are currently in the care of the RSPCA and are reported to be doing well. The case against Rosemary and Paul Wiggin was brought to court, where both pleaded not guilty to charges of failing to provide adequate living conditions for their animals.

In sentencing, Paul Wiggin was ordered to pay £7,000 in costs and received a 12-month conditional discharge. Rosemary Wiggin was ordered to pay £1,000 in costs and also received a three-year conditional discharge. Despite the severity of the neglect, both individuals were handed a 12-month ban on keeping dogs, a penalty many have considered insufficient given the circumstances. The case has garnered significant media attention, highlighting issues of animal welfare and the responsibilities of pet owners in the Burntwood area.