SHAUN STOBBS AND LOUISE STOAKES FROM BRAMLEY SENTENCED FOR CRUELTY TO PET DOG REBEL

In a disturbing case of animal cruelty, Shaun Stobbs and Louise Ann Stoakes, both residents of Heights Close in Bramley, Leeds, faced serious legal consequences after neglecting their pet dog, Rebel, to the brink of death. The incident, which came to light in July 2014, revealed a heartbreaking level of neglect that shocked local authorities and animal welfare organizations alike.

According to reports, the RSPCA inspector who responded to the call found Rebel in a dire state. The dog, a bull terrier, was discovered in a small, enclosed room within the Stobbs and Stoakes family home. The inspector described the scene as having an overwhelming smell emanating from the room, which was evidence of the prolonged suffering Rebel endured. When examined, Rebel was found to be severely emaciated, weighing only about half of her expected body weight. Normally, a healthy bull terrier of her size should weigh around 30 kilograms, but she was only 15 kilograms at the time of rescue.

Inspector Sarah Mason, who attended the scene, recounted her shock at the dog's condition. She initially believed Rebel was dead due to her skeletal frame and collapsed state. The dog was so weak that she could barely stand or move. The inspector noted that Rebel had been kept in a locked room, which contributed to her deteriorating health. The situation was compounded by the presence of a strong cannabis smell in the front room of the house, indicating possible drug use by the occupants.

Shaun Stobbs contacted the RSPCA, claiming he was concerned about Rebel because she had stopped eating. During questioning, Stobbs explained that he believed Rebel had suddenly fallen ill. Louise Stoakes, who was working as a part-time lifeguard and was pregnant with her fourth child at the time, admitted that they had not taken Rebel to a veterinarian because they could not afford the treatment. She expressed regret, stating they should have done more to help Rebel but chose not to because they did not want their children to see the dog's suffering.

When the inspector arrived, Stobbs used a screwdriver to open a wooden door leading to the utility room where Rebel was kept. Despite her critical condition, the RSPCA was forced to euthanize Rebel after assessing her as a banned breed, which complicated her recovery prospects. The dog's skeletal condition was so severe that the inspector believed she was dead upon arrival. Rebel had been neglected for weeks, if not months, and her suffering was evident to anyone with a reasonable level of awareness. The RSPCA took her into their care, and she was able to regain some weight and mobility. However, her health continued to decline, and she was ultimately put down due to her dangerous breed status.

Both Shaun Stobbs and Louise Stoakes pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to an animal. During their trial, their defense lawyer, Alex Boyd, argued that neither of them had the necessary skills to properly care for Rebel. He emphasized that their neglect was not motivated by malice but rather by embarrassment and a lack of knowledge about how to handle the situation. The lawyer pointed out that when the problem arose, instead of seeking help, they chose to hide their inability to care for Rebel.

Magistrates at Leeds Magistrates Court condemned the couple's actions, describing the neglect as long-term and serious. They held both individuals equally responsible for the suffering inflicted upon Rebel. The judge sentenced Stobbs and Stoakes to a 12-week prison term, suspended for 12 months. Additionally, Stoakes was ordered to complete a 30-day activity requirement, while Stobbs was mandated to perform 200 hours of unpaid work. Both were also given lifetime bans on owning animals, reflecting the severity of their misconduct.

Following the case, Inspector Sarah Mason expressed her emotional distress over the incident. She described how upsetting it was to witness Rebel's condition firsthand, noting that the dog was so weak she could not even reach her food and water bowls. Mason recounted carrying Rebel into the veterinary clinic in tears, feeling that justice had been served for the suffering animal. Her account underscored the importance of animal welfare and the need for strict penalties in cases of neglect and cruelty.