Couple Banned From Keeping Dogs for 10 Years

Emaciated dogs were found in a Blackpool, U.K. home on December 15, 2022, after a noise complaint and concerns were shared regarding the dogs’ wellbeing. Now, the owners are banned from keeping any animals for the next decade. The six Jack Russel Terriers, named Jack, Sasha, Angel, Coraline, Junior, and Jazz, were found in incredibly poor conditions in their home, according to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

The owners, Ryan Seel and Debbie Slater were prosecuted and found guilty of “failing to meet the needs of all six dogs”. Both admitted that they had caused “unnecessary suffering” to three of the pets.

Officers of the local city council were shocked at the weight of the Jack Russells when they entered the scene after many complaints from neighbors. According to the council officer during the trial, “He showed us into the house and, as we walked through the hallway into the dining room, I noticed the Jack Russells running round. I immediately noticed that they were looking underweight. I turned and looked into the living room, and there was a lady sitting on the couch and she was holding another two Jack Russells that also looked underweight.” He continued, “I asked them what was going on, and their response was there was nothing wrong with the dogs. The man then let us pick up one of the Jack Russells, and you could see her ribs and hip bones. He explained that they had changed their food as they had lost a bit of weight and he said the one that he was holding had been to the vets. I asked him when this was, and he replied two years ago. I explained that, as soon as they noticed the dogs dropping weight, they should have taken them to the vets straight away.”

Immediately, the dogs were taken for emergency vet treatment. Three of the dogs weighed only between 3.08 and 3.5 pounds when they should have been 9.9 to 11.02 pounds. According to reports, three had to stay overnight and the RSPCA was contacted about the extreme conditions of the animals.

“We attempted to take an ear prick of blood to check [one dog’s] blood sugar level, but his circulation was so collapsed from the hypothermia that we failed,” the vet said in court, as reported by the RSPCA.

All of the dogs were taken into the custody of the RSPCA. By January the terriers were all thankfully back to full health. Now, they have been rehomed to different owners. Slater and Seel were fined £414 and are banned from having any animals in their home for the next ten years.

We encourage everyone thinking of getting a pet to only adopt instead of shopping. Read more resources about adopting animals on One Green Planet, including 7 Reasons to Adopt Your Next Furry Best Friend, 5 Reasons Why Everyone Should Adopt a Pet, and These Heartwarming Before and After Pictures of Adopted Rescue Animals Will Make Your Day! Read tips for pet adoptions and what to consider before adopting an animal. We recommend using these apps to find shelter dogs near you!

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