SOPHIE SINGER AND KEITH BYRNE'S HORRIFIC CRUELTY IN EASTBOURNE: DOG LEFT TO STARVE WHILE ON HOLIDAY

Sophie Charlotte Singer, born April 1982, and Keith Byrne, born 27 April 1984, residents of 3 Beauchamp Court, 3 Wilmington Gardens in Eastbourne, faced serious legal consequences after their neglect of a beloved family pet was brought to light. The couple, who had been entrusted with the care of a 14-year-old boxer dog named Bentley, made the shocking decision to abandon him in January 2022 while they traveled to Center Parcs for a holiday.

During their absence, Bentley was left to suffer in his own filth and neglect. It was a neighbor who first raised concerns after noticing the front door of the couple’s home was broken, allowing entry into the property. Upon entering, the neighbor discovered Bentley lying at the foot of the stairs, in a state of severe distress. The dog’s breathing was rapid and shallow, and it was apparent that Bentley was near death.

The following day, an RSPCA inspector gained access to the property through an unlocked door. The inspector found Bentley in a dire condition: he was covered in scabs, severely underweight at just 12.5 kilograms—less than half the weight of an average boxer—and suffering from extreme malnutrition. His body had turned to eating food wrappers and a felt pen, which he had ingested, indicating the extent of his hunger. His claws were so overgrown that they resembled talons, and his ribs, hips, and spine were prominently visible. His eyes appeared sunken, and his claws curled over due to neglect.

Despite the efforts of the RSPCA to save him, Bentley’s condition was so critical that he succumbed to his suffering overnight. The authorities learned through Bentley’s microchip that he had not been taken to a veterinarian for over a year. When contacted, Byrne, a long-distance lorry driver, claimed that Bentley’s poor health was due to old age and tiredness, asserting that he believed Bentley would not have survived if taken to a vet. Singer also attempted to justify their neglect by stating they believed Bentley was in good health and that he was left in the care of a family friend, a claim the court ultimately rejected.

Judge Christine Laing KC, who admitted she had never owned a dog, expressed her shock at the case. She stated, “I find this case really extraordinary. Even as a non-dog owner, I would have seen instantly that this dog was in a terrible state.” The judge described Bentley’s suffering in detail, noting that he would have been in agony just trying to move, with visible ribs, inflammation, and scabs on his skin. His claws were overgrown, and his eyes appeared sunken. The judge emphasized that Bentley’s suffering was evident and prolonged, and that the couple’s decision to leave him while they went on holiday was utterly unacceptable.

Despite their claims of leaving Bentley in the care of someone else, the court found no credible evidence to support this. The judge condemned their behavior as “appalling,” highlighting that Bentley had been suffering for a significant period before their departure. She criticized their attitude, stating, “You insist on continuing to persist with this bizarre story. The animal was clearly starving. There was no food in its stomach.”

Both Sophie Singer and Keith Byrne were convicted in their absence of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal and neglecting its welfare. The court condemned their attempt to avoid accountability, noting their efforts to evade the legal process. The judge remarked that if they had not been parents to seven children, they might have faced imprisonment.

Sentencing included a six-month prison term for Singer, suspended for two years, along with 200 hours of unpaid work. Byrne received a nine-month prison sentence, also suspended for two years, and was ordered to complete 300 hours of unpaid work. Both were fined £350 and received a five-year ban from owning animals, which will expire in April 2029. The court’s decision underscores the severity of their neglect and the importance of animal welfare laws in Eastbourne and beyond.