susan and lee stewart, michael newall Animal Abuser

CONVICTED (2022) | Michael Newall, born 2 May 1991, of 305 Shaw Road, Royton, Oldham OL2 6DY, his mother Susan Stewart (aka Susan Oakley), born 8 February 1971, and her husband Lee Darren Stewart, born 20 July 1971, both of 4 Covert Road, Oldham OL4 5QA – confined their badly neglected pet German shepherd to a single room.

Susan Stewart and Michael Newall.

Images: Facebook.

The dog, known as Leo, spent almost all day alone in the tiny room apart from being allowed out to eat and drink.

He was found smelling of urine with matted hair after being left in a bare 5ft by 6ft room at a flat on Covert Road.

The cruel family kept German shepherd Leo confined to a room “like a cell” and failed to treat his conjunctivitis and ulcerated ear infection.

Susan and Lee Stewart and Michael Newall pleaded guilty to offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

The RSPCA was alerted after a caller advised ‘a dog was being kept in a small room and never let out’.

No bedding had been provided for Leo, and there were signs he had been trying to scratch and bite his way out of the tiny room.

When inspectors visited the flat on November 9, 2019, Susan Stewart told inspectors that Leo belonged to her son Michael, who had left him in her care after he moved in with his girlfriend.

The inspectors returned to see Newall at the flat the next day when they discovered Leo’s confined living conditions.

Inspector Daniel Tomlinson said in his witness statement: “The room had no natural light, the walls were covered in black dirt.

I can only describe this room as a cell”.

Inspector Danielle Jennings added: “Although Leo appeared to be in a normal body condition, his coat was very dense and matted and I could smell a mixture of urine and faeces.

Leo’s eyes also appeared bright red and inflamed.

“No bedding was available, just a concrete floor.

I closed the door leading out and was saddened to see the back of the door.

Clearly Leo had been trying to scratch and bite his way out.” Michael Newall Newall agreed to have Leo signed over into the care of the RSPCA.

The dog was taken to the Greater Manchester Animal Hospital where a vet found he was suffering from conjunctivitis and severe ulcerated inflammation of his ears.

Vet Dr Sean Taylor stated: “The room was required to be cleaned out each morning suggesting Leo did not have opportunities to soil away from the area he had to rest, although a specific comfortable resting area appears not to have been provided.” He concluded that Leo had suffered as a result of a failure to provide veterinary care for his ear infections and by being housed in a “barren environment for prolonged periods”.

In mitigation, the court was told Susan Stewart was a carer for her husband and aunt.

Lee Stewart was on medication and slept during the day, which made it difficult for him to help the dog.

Sentencing | Lee Stewart: ordered to pay a total of £537.

Banned from keeping animals for life.

Susan Stewart: 12-month community sentence with 25 days of rehabilitation activity; a total of £622 in fine, costs and charges.

Michael Newall: 12-month community service with six-week curfew; ordered to pay £612.

Banned from keeping dogs for 10 years.

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