Owners convicted of cruelty as 35 dogs put down

Nov 21 2009 by Tom Mullen, The Journal

TWO North East men have been convicted of sickening acts of cruelty to 145 pet dogs left mangy and unfed on farm land.

Michael Young, of Bishop Middleham, County Durham, and Paul Brown, of Redcar, were together convicted of 16 animal cruelty offences after the pets were found living like wild dogs.

The animals were discovered at Bogg Hall Farm in Mordon, Stockton, in April.

Collie cross-breeds, lurchers and terriers were living in outbuildings, outdoor pens and in the backs of vehicles.

RSPCA inspector Lucy Hoehne said they had been kept as pets and were not being bred for commercial purposes.

She added the situation had simply “spiralled out of control”.

It took three days to remove all the dogs from the scene, while 35 had to be put down.

Inspector Hoehne said: “These dogs were suffering from all sorts of ailments as a result of the conditions they were living in and the care they were receiving.

“They had lice and worms, most were suffering as a result of lack of adequate diet and many had skin conditions, dental problems and infected wounds due to in-fighting.

“One even had a fractured leg, which like the other ailments, had been left untreated.

“The sheer number of dogs had clearly got out of hand and their welfare was seriously compromised as a result.”