Swinderby man sentenced at Lincoln Magistrates Court for causing unnecessary suffering to dogs after RSPCA investigation

A man has been sentenced to 12 weeks in prison suspended for 12 months after neglecting seven dogs in his care.

Olly Adegboyega, of Morton Lane, Swinderby, pleaded guilty at a hearing of causing unnecessary suffering to six dogs by failing to provide adequate nutrition and failing to meet the welfare needs of seven dogs.

Adegboyega appeared before Lincoln Magistrates Court on April 19 for sentencing.

He was given a 12 week custodial sentence suspended for 12 months and banned from keeping all animals for ten years and ordered to pay £1,504 costs.

The court heard the RSPCA attended the defendant’s home in December last year and discovered the dogs.

One dog was found dead in her kennel and she did not have any bedding other than an old piece of damp soiled carpet and she was slumped up against the fencing of the dog run.

When Inspector Bradshaw moved her body it was apparent that something had eaten away part of her muzzle.

Many of the dogs, German Shepherd types, were underweight and had their ribs, hips and spines visible and their sleeping areas were covered in faeces.

The six remaining dogs were examined by a vet and given treatment - sadly one of the dogs was extremely thin, had painful arthritis and numerous age-related health concerns and the sad decision was made by a vet to put him down to avoid the animal’s suffering.

An expert vet who examined the dogs said in their evidence: “It is my opinion that these dogs were thin or emaciated due to malnutrition, starvation.”

They added: “The emaciation and very thin body condition of all of the dogs was obvious despite their thick coats.

“The dogs were all suffering because of malnutrition / near starvation, and most had developed anemia and detriment to their health.

“Had this situation continued their condition would have worsened further, eventually resulting in organ failure and death.”

They concluded that from the examination and blood results of these dogs they suspect these dogs have all suffered from malnutrition / inadequate food and calories to meet their needs for at least six to twelve weeks and possibly longer.

The dogs had all been signed over into RSPCA care and have since been rehomed by the RSPCA Lincolnshire Mid and Lincoln Branch.

In mitigation the defendant, who was unrepresented, said he had owned dogs for 15 years and that they had been a central part of his life.

He said the dogs were all well socialised and friendly and took full responsibility.