A man left two dogs suffering from cigarette burns and stabbing wounds - causing them both to be put down. Isaac Campbell, 29, of Highfields, Codnor, was found guilty at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates’ Court of two offences of causing unnecessary suffering to the dogs.
The court heard how the RSPCA was called to investigate concerns for the welfare of two dogs - named Sian and Frankie - at Campbell’s family home in Derbyshire but the pets were not at the property. RSPCA investigations instead led them to an address in Woodstock Avenue, Nottingham, where the dogs were seized by Nottinghamshire Police on Tuesday, March 17, 2020, and placed in the care of the charity.
The two bull-terrier types, aged about six months old, had significant wounds on their body so were rushed for urgent veterinary treatment. Sian was found to have extensive burns down her side and there was a sizable wound down the back of her skull and neck.
Warning: this article includes images of graphic injuries to an animal that some may find disturbing
She also had a limp hind leg and was not able to sit still and was very uncomfortable lying on her side due to her injuries. The male dog was also found with two wounds on his legs - which the vet said had the appearance of partially-healed cigarette burns - as well as a puncture wound to his face, consistent with being stabbed.
A vet who examined the dogs said: “On Frankie I found on the wrist a circular skin lesion next to a small healed skin lesion. On the right toe was also a healed lesion of similar appearance, as these had healed with unhaired scar tissue they were older healed wounds of unknown cause but had the appearance of puncture wound or cigarette burn.
“On the right side of the face was a fresh circular wound close to the eye which was about 10 mms in diameter and was about 3-7 days old. The wound on the face was deeper and more extensive such as a puncture wound by a sharp object.
“The young female walking with a stiff, unsteady and laboured gait on her hindlegs. She was struggling to weight-bear. There were skin scabs over her nose and throat, fresh flat skin lesions over her ribs and involving the armpit with painful crusts and reddened and ulcerated lesions in a distinctive “dribble” pattern.
"The pattern and flat appearance of the skin lesions is consistent with liquid burns caused by hot liquid poured over her back from a height. She exhibited pain reaction and skin hypersensitivity over her entire torso.”
RSPCA inspector Helen Mead, who interviewed Campbell, said in her witness statement: “I had very little in the way of explanation from Campbell about the dogs and what happened to Sian’s leg. But he claimed her leg was getting better so it was not a problem.
"He also said that Sian had knocked a pan of boiling water over herself and that was why she had those wounds. Throughout the interview, Campbell refused to look at me, or even in my direction, choosing to sit with his grey/silver coat hood up and his side to me throughout.”
Campbell left court before his sentence was passed on February 28 and a warrant was issued for his arrest. District judge Johnathan Taff condemned Campbell’s actions as “sustained and systemic cruelty”.
He added: “The defendant caused unnecessary suffering - quite deliberately and then it was unforgivable not to seek immediate veterinary treatment for the injuries he caused.”
Police arrested Campbell the following day and he was taken into custody. He was handed a 16-week jail sentence and banned from keeping all animals indefinitely, as well as being ordered to pay £200 costs and a £122 victim surcharge.
The two animals acted aggressively towards RSPCA staff and vets, with their untreated injuries seemingly impacting their behaviour, meaning they sadly had to be put down despite work to rehabilitate them. The male dog bit an inspector as she took him for veterinary treatment and days later the female dog also attacked a vet during treatment.
They were taken to a dog behavioural therapist who worked with them both for 18 months but no progress was made. Inspector Rachel Leafe, who investigated the case, added: “Both Frankie and Sian had some awful untreated physical injuries which it appears to have affected them in their nature towards people.
“It was so sad that these dogs at such a young age were so aggressive. The male dog attacked an RSPCA inspector and also veterinary staff who tried to intervene. The female dog went on to attack the vet who was caring for her.
“We worked really hard to try to rehabilitate these dogs but there was nothing else we could do - the whole thing has been a very sad and upsetting incident for all involved.”
