Five-year animal ban for County Durham man after three dogs found living in squalid flat

Lurcher Molly was emaciated, weighing only 9.45kg (20.83lb), and had eaten a bin liner

The lurchers were discovered living in a bedroom after the RSPCA gained entry to the property with the help of police and the landlord. 

One of the dogs, a female called Molly (pictured above), was so malnourished that the remains of a bin liner were found in her faeces. She survived and has since been rehomed by the charity and doubled in weight.

Owner Joshua Sanderson (DoB 20.12.2003) was prosecuted by the RSPCA after moving out of the property in Eldon and abandoning the dogs. 

At a sentencing hearing on Wednesday 27 March, Newton Aycliffe Magistrates Court heard how one of the charity’s inspectors visited Sanderson’s flat on 6 April last year. Seals that had previously been placed on the door frame and lock by the RSPCA were still intact, suggesting nobody had entered or left the property. 

After speaking to local people who said no-one had been seen and dogs could no longer be heard, the police and the lettings agency were called to assist.  

In written evidence to the court the inspector said: “The door was opened and the smell of ammonia was overpowering. There was faeces present at the rear of the door and on the stairs. “On entering the main area of the flat there were no dogs present or loose and it was littered with faeces and rubbish scattered about, there was also faeces on the settee in the main room.

“I then opened a door to a small bedroom and found three lurcher type dogs in a small area which was again littered with faeces and like the rest of the flat the smell of urine and excrement was overpowering.

“None of the dogs had any access to food or water and the bowls that were present were overturned and all were dry.”

The dogs were seized by the police as evidence and placed into the care of the RSPCA. They all drank immediately when provided with water before being taken to a vet. The front door, frame and door lock were resealed by the inspector but the court was told the tapes were still intact when further visits to the property were made, the last one being three weeks later on 27 April.

All three dogs were examined by a vet and hospitalised overnight. A tan and white male lurcher was found to have wounds and cuts, while a black and tan female lurcher had inflamed eye membranes.  

Molly – who unlike the others was microchipped – was described as emaciated. She weighed only 9.45kg (20.83 lbs) and was given a body condition score of just one out of nine. Although her microchip said she was a year old, the vet said the very significant tartar on her teeth indicated her age was inaccurate. She also has a number of scars but no fresh wounds. 

Magistrates heard the dogs were ravenous when fed and Molly (pictured below) passed faeces containing a black bin liner. 

In his evidence the vet said: “Molly was suffering at the time of examination as a result of malnutrition due to lack of feeding. The bloods indicated that this dog had normal organ function and no significant clinical condition that would be responsible for the weight loss. 

“She gained nearly 30% in weight following adequate feeding in five weeks. In my opinion she had been caused unnecessary suffering on the grounds of inadequate nutrition for no less than six weeks.” 

Following enquiries, Sanderson was found to have moved to a property in Fairfield, Evenwood. He was interviewed by the RSPCA in June about what had happened to the dogs and confirmed that he had been the occupant of the flat but had moved out. He said he owned two of the dogs and had taken Molly on from someone who wasn’t looking after her properly. He confirmed conditions at the flat were poor and unsuitable for the dogs.

In addition to the disqualification order, Sanderson, who had admitted two charges contrary to the Animal Welfare Act 2006 at a hearing on 5 March, was also given a six-month community order with five rehabilitation activity requirement days for causing unnecessary suffering to Molly. 

The dogs were cared for at the RSPCA’s Great Ayton Animal Centre. Sadly the black and tan female lurcher was put to sleep on professional advice for welfare and behavioural reasons, but Molly and the male lurcher (pictured above) who was named Tolly by staff, have since been adopted and are enjoying life in their new homes.   

Speaking after the conclusion of the case RSPCA Chief Inspector for Durham, Mark Gent, said: “All three dogs had been badly let down by their owner, left behind in a dirty and hazardous environment without food or water, to the extent where one of them had resorted to eating a bin liner. It was a sad case and it illustrates how important it is to ensure the needs of animals you’re responsible for are always met and to see help and advice if your circumstances change and you are no longer able to provide for them.”