Wolverhampton man given lifetime ban and suspended sentence after starving nine dogs

Joshua Johnson, aged 28, appeared at Birmingham Crown Court after having pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to two offences under the Animal Welfare Act.

The concerns were raised by the RSPCA about dogs that were being raised in poor conditions, resulting in the unnecessary suffering of nine dogs.

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RSCPA Inspector Steve Morrall first attended Johnson's address in Spring Road, Ettingshall, on June 7, 2023, after concerns were raised about a dog in poor condition.

Behind metal bars in the yard, the investigator found a severely emaciated tan Kangal-type female dog, with her ribs, spine and pelvis visible protruding, and no food or water available. 

Upon further investigation of the address, a second dog's head could be seen above a dividing barrier, and more were discovered as West Midlands Police were called to assist with seizing the suffering dogs.

In a statement to Birmingham Crown Court, the distressing scenes of extreme neglect were described. Mr Morrall said: "The dog drank with extreme thirst when I placed water under the fence. 

"Inside the house and grounds, we found four dogs alive, but skeletal, and five dogs deceased 0 some decomposed, some tethered or confined, all surrounded by faeces and rubbish."

All four surviving dogs were immediately taken for examination at RSCPA Birmingham Animal Hospital. 

The vet who examined them found that each dog had a body condition score of just one out of nine - a healthy dog should score four to five - and severe muscle wastage consistent with prolonged starvation. 

In post-mortem reports for two of the deceased dogs, the vet confirmed that both had suffered severe malnutrition, one dying from starvation-related collapse, and the other from sepsis triggered by starvation. One had overgrown claws and muscle fibrosis, indicating long-term lack of mobility.

She said: "Dogs starved for this length of time experience profound hunger, weakness and pain. 

"The degree of emaciation in all the animals indicated a minimum of several weeks without adequate nutrition."

The four surviving dogs were signed over to the RSPCA - but sadly had to be later put to sleep due to issues centre staff believe were linked to their challenging upbringing. 

In mitigation, the court heard how Johnson was 'working his way through' a plethora of issues involving alcohol and drugs, which he was 'very ashamed' of.

The judge recognised that Johnson's life was "out of control at the time", but noted that it was "a terrible case involving awful suffering" of the dogs. 

He was handed a two-year prison sentence, suspended for 21 months, and banned from keeping animals for life. 

He was also ordered to undergo a 12-month Alcohol Treatment Requirement, a 12-month High-Intensity Drug Rehabilitation Requirement, 35 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days, and pay £400 in costs. 

Following the sentencing, Inspector Steve Morrall said: "This was a hugely distressing case to investigate. 

"Several dogs had already died, and the surviving dogs were desperately thin, weak and thirsty. No animal should ever be left to endure such prolonged suffering."