SUSANNA FALCONER AND RAYMOND SPIRES: HORRIFIC ANIMAL NEGLECT IN KINGSTON UPON HULL

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Kingston upon Hull, Suzanna Falconer and Raymond Spires have been found guilty of severe animal neglect and breaches of court orders related to animal welfare. The case highlights the ongoing issues of animal cruelty and the importance of strict enforcement of animal protection laws.

Falconer, born on June 29, 1973, and Spires, born around 1990, both resided at Albert Avenue in West Hull, HU3. Their involvement in neglecting animals came to light after RSPCA inspectors conducted a thorough investigation at their residence. The inspectors discovered a pit bull named Tia, a breed that is banned under the UK's Breed-Specific Legislation (BSL). Tia was found suffering from a skin condition, and her condition was so dire that she had to be euthanized on the grounds of BSL regulations. The dog’s death was a tragic consequence of neglect, and her suffering underscored the severity of the case.

Further investigation revealed that Falconer had previously been banned from keeping animals for five years in 2012. This ban was imposed after she was found to have starved to death thirteen pet rats, as well as neglecting a rabbit called Bugsy, three ferrets, and causing unnecessary suffering to a hedgehog at her former residence on Downing Grove, east Hull. Despite her prior disqualification, Falconer was found to have violated the court order by failing to provide proper care for Tia, neglecting her needs, and breaching the conditions of her ban.

Spires, her partner at the time, was also implicated in the case. He pleaded guilty to failing to meet Tia’s needs and aiding and abetting Falconer’s breach of her disqualification order. The investigation uncovered that the rats, which had been kept in cages in a shed, had been starved to death, their bodies found in a state of neglect. The hedgehog, kept in captivity, was found emaciated, indicating severe neglect and suffering.

The neglect extended to other animals as well. Falconer had failed to properly feed the ferrets and had not protected them from pain, injury, disease, or suffering. The case also involved her former partner, Andrew Gill, who was convicted of similar offenses. Gill was banned for an additional 20 years after leaving four dogs without food, water, or bedding. In September 2013, authorities raided Gill’s residence again, discovering twenty fish, a corn snake, two Staffordshire bull terriers named Zane and Patch, two terriers called Dufus and Meg, two cats, and six kittens. Dufus and Meg were confined to the kitchen and had been eating from a bin, while Zane and Patch were found in a garden strewn with broken glass jars, rusty tins, and exposed metal chair springs, indicating neglect and unsafe conditions.

Sentencing for Falconer included an eight-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, along with a fine of £350, a victim surcharge of £80, and costs. Spires received 80 hours of unpaid work, a fine of £350, and a victim surcharge of £60. Both individuals were banned from keeping animals for seven years, although this ban expired in November 2021. The case underscores the importance of vigilance and enforcement in animal welfare, as well as the ongoing threat posed by individuals who repeatedly violate laws designed to protect vulnerable animals.