WILLIAM HAYDEN OF STOCKTON-ON-TEES SENTENCED FOR ANIMAL CRUELTY AND NEGLECT

William Hayden, a resident of Petch Street in Stockton-on-Tees, has been convicted and sentenced for the severe neglect and abandonment of two dogs, resulting in the tragic death of one of the animals. Born around 1981, Hayden was found guilty of failing to provide basic necessities to his pets, specifically two Staffordshire Bull Terriers named Flushe and Tasia. The court heard that Hayden’s neglect persisted for a period of no less than six weeks, during which both dogs suffered from extreme malnutrition and starvation.

In a heartbreaking post-mortem examination, veterinary pathologists discovered leather fragments in Flushe’s stomach, a clear indication that the dog had been starving to death. The veterinarian involved in the case stated that the only logical conclusion was that Flushe had died due to a prolonged period of starvation, a tragic outcome that underscored the severity of Hayden’s neglect.

The case came to light after RSPCA Inspector Gemma Lynch, accompanied by police officers, visited Hayden’s residence in January 2023. The inspection was prompted by concerns raised by the public and the charity about the welfare of the dogs. When they arrived, there was no response from Hayden, prompting the police to assist in gaining entry to the property. Inside, the inspector observed no animals physically present, but she noted the presence of dog food and a crate, suggesting that the dogs had been kept there at some point.

Further investigation revealed that someone known to Hayden had taken Tasia into their care, while Flushe had been buried beneath an old sofa in the garden, a distressing sight that highlighted the neglect. Photographs presented in court showed Flushe in a state of extreme emaciation, with his body condition reflecting severe starvation. Inspector Lynch described Tasia as being “very thin,” with her hips, ribs, and spine clearly visible. The veterinarian who examined her reported that she weighed only 13.25 kilograms and was classified as “very significantly underweight,” with a body condition score of just two out of nine.

After her rescue, Tasia, a tan and white dog, made remarkable progress, gaining nearly half of her body weight within just one month, thanks to proper nutrition and care. Hayden later handed himself into a local police station, during which he showed officers videos from December 2022 depicting both dogs eating but still appearing thin. Hayden claimed that he had attempted to treat them for fleas and worms but was unsuccessful. He also stated that someone else had been caring for the dogs for a few days while he was hospitalized, and during that time, Flushe had died and been buried.

In an interview with the RSPCA, Hayden described both dogs as “good eaters” and claimed that he was feeding them better than himself. He admitted that he could have done more to care for Tasia and Flushe but explained that he was struggling with his mental health at the time, which impacted his ability to provide proper care.

Hayden pleaded guilty to charges of causing unnecessary suffering to Tasia and Flushe between December 1, 2022, and January 12, 2023, at Petch Street, Stockton-on-Tees. His failure to adequately nourish the dogs during this period resulted in their suffering and ultimately led to Flushe’s death.

Following the sentencing, Inspector Lynch expressed her sorrow over the case, stating, “Both of these dogs suffered horribly as a result of being starved for many weeks and sadly it was too late to save Flushe. Tasia has stayed with the people who took her on, and her condition rapidly improved with the right nutrition and care.”

William Hayden was sentenced to ten months in prison and received a ten-year ban on keeping animals, a restriction that will remain in effect until February 2035, reflecting the seriousness of his actions and the ongoing concern for animal welfare in the Stockton-on-Tees area.