PRESTON MAN STEVEN HOGWOOD LEFT DOGS TO STARVE IN SQUALID FLAT

In a disturbing case that has shocked the local community in Preston, Steven Hogwood, born on 25 September 1976 and residing on Great Shaw Street, was found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to his two American bulldogs, Sky and Kilo. The tragic neglect culminated in the dogs' deaths, which were discovered during a visit by RSPCA inspectors to Hogwood's flat in Aughton Walk, Preston.

When authorities entered Hogwood's residence, they were met with a scene of utter filth and neglect. The flat was heavily cluttered with rubbish, soiled clothing, and excrement, creating an environment that was both hazardous and uninhabitable. A strong, overpowering stench of stale air, urine, and feces permeated the space, making it clear that the living conditions had been neglected for some time.

Inspectors found the bodies of two-year-old Sky and four-year-old Kilo in different parts of the flat. Sky was discovered lying on the floor in the bedroom, a female bulldog with a white coat and brown patches, in a state of extreme emaciation. Her body showed all bones prominently visible and palpable, indicating severe starvation. Next to her was a bowl containing moldy food and a heavily chewed dog food tin, suggesting she had been starving for some time. The room was in disarray, with dried feces, rubbish, and clothing scattered everywhere. There was no water available in the flat, and the toilet was closed, with the bath and sink bone dry.

The second dog, Kilo, a larger male bulldog with similar coloring, was found lying in an open-fronted dog crate in the corner of the living room. The room was again cluttered with debris and dried excrement, and Kilo was also in a poor physical state, with his bones clearly visible. He was lying on chewed bedding, with a chewed kettle and an empty bowl nearby. Like Sky, Kilo showed signs of severe neglect, with no water in sight and the environment being filthy and unkempt.

Post-mortem examinations revealed that both dogs had died approximately two weeks prior to their discovery. The autopsies showed that Sky’s stomach contained multiple foreign bodies, a common sign of starvation, and both animals were found to be in poor bodily condition. The veterinarian concluded that the dogs had suffered from inadequate feeding for at least 13 days, with their deaths occurring around April 5. The lack of food in their systems indicated they had gone without nourishment for one to three days before their deaths, suffering for two to three weeks in total.

During police interviews, Hogwood claimed that both dogs had become very ill over a three-day period and that he could not face returning to the flat to deal with the situation. He stated that although he had stopped living there due to a curfew that required him to stay overnight at his mother’s house, he still visited the flat daily. Hogwood explained that about two weeks before April 12, the dogs refused to eat and showed signs of severe illness, including blood in their excrement. He admitted that he lacked the funds for veterinary care and had left some water and food for the dogs before leaving. When he returned the following day, he found Sky dead in the bedroom and Kilo in his cage, describing the situation as 'unbearable' and expressing his helplessness.

Legal proceedings resulted in Hogwood being sentenced to 12 weeks in jail. Additionally, he was ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £115 and was banned from keeping any animals for the rest of his life. This case has served as a stark reminder of the importance of animal welfare and the devastating consequences of neglect and cruelty in Preston.