EGREMONT DOG ABUSERS STEPHEN GRAHAM AND SAMANTHA BAGLEY SENTENCED FOR CRUELTY

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Egremont, Stephen Graham, born on December 1, 1988, and his partner Samantha Bagley, born on July 31, 1992, have been found guilty of causing severe suffering to their pet dog. The incident came to light after the RSPCA in Whitehaven received a rehoming request from Graham in November 2022 concerning a Staffordshire Bull Terrier named Keanu.

Graham, who has a lengthy criminal record with 42 convictions, claimed that Keanu had been losing weight over several months, a situation he attributed to a recent house move. However, the reality was far more grim. The dog was found to be emaciated, reduced to what witnesses described as “a bag of bones,” after months of neglect. Graham explained that Keanu had been vomiting and losing control of his bowels, which he complained was damaging his expensive carpets. When questioned about why he had not taken the dog to a veterinarian, Graham admitted that ongoing disputes prevented him from doing so.

He further stated that he had been feeding Keanu baby milk and adding water to his dry food in an attempt to keep him alive. Despite the RSPCA’s offer to assist, Graham declared that he no longer wanted the dog. An examination by a veterinarian confirmed the severity of the neglect. Keanu was found to weigh only 9.6 kilograms, significantly below the ideal weight of approximately 16 kilograms for his breed. The vet assessed his condition as extremely poor, giving him the lowest score of one out of five.

Both Graham and Bagley, aged 30, appeared in court to admit to causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal. The pair arrived late for their sentencing hearing, citing various personal difficulties, including childcare responsibilities, as part of their defense. Recorder Tony Hawks, presiding over the case, expressed his concern about their decision-making, suggesting that their lifestyle choices reflected a pattern of poor judgment. He emphasized that owning an animal is a serious responsibility that requires careful thought, planning, and commitment, and that Keanu’s trust had been betrayed.

Following the court proceedings, Keanu was taken into foster care in West Cumbria. His foster carer described her shock upon seeing his condition and expressed relief that he was now healthy. She noted that Keanu enjoys walks, playing with toys, and is very affectionate, especially towards people.

Inspector Fletcher from the RSPCA highlighted the importance of responsible pet ownership, warning that neglect can have serious consequences. He stated, “The message is that the responsibility of animal ownership is a serious one. When you don’t take that responsibility seriously and don’t seek help when you need it, the consequences can be serious.”

In sentencing, Graham received a six-month custodial sentence, suspended for 18 months, and was ordered to undergo rehabilitation through probation services. Both Graham and Bagley were banned from owning or keeping any animals for a period of ten years, with a prohibition against applying to lift this ban for at least five years.