STEPHEN STURMAN SENTENCED IN DEVON FOR ANIMAL CRUELTY AND NEGLECT

Stephen Sturman has been found guilty of severe animal cruelty related to the mistreatment and living conditions of 18 collie dogs kept in a dilapidated, overcrowded caravan in Devon.

The dogs were kept in extremely dirty conditions, with their environment saturated with dog mess and urine, some of which had soaked into the furniture and floorboards. The animals were severely undernourished, underweight, and suffered from neglect, anxiety, fear, and health problems, including skin conditions.

Tragically, three dogs died due to in-fighting and neglect. Two of these deceased dogs were discarded in bags, while the third was trampled. The situation came to light when police responded to a report of Sturman's disappearance from the caravan, which was initially refused entry by his wife, Rachel.

Once inside, police discovered the conditions to be uninhabitable. One dog was found to be so matted that three kilograms of fur had to be removed. The court was told that the dogs had rarely gone outside, with only three having been outside since their captivity began. Both Stephen and Rachel Sturman admitted to charges of cruelty and neglect.

Stephen Sturman, now living in Kent, was sentenced to 12 months in prison and received a lifelong ban on keeping animals. He has prior convictions, including a ban imposed in 2018 for similar offenses involving cats.

Rachel Sturman was sentenced to ten months in jail, suspended for 18 months, and was banned from keeping animals for 15 years.

The court ordered the Sturmans to pay £2,000 each towards the RSPCA's recovery costs. The rescued dogs have since been rehomed. An RSPCA inspector described the conditions as 'uninhabitable and appalling,' emphasizing the severity of the neglect and the importance of the rescue efforts.