*WARNING – DISTRESSING IMAGES*
A man from the East Riding of Yorkshire has been banned from keeping animals for two years, after failing to seek medical treatment for his shar pei’s skin disease and ear infection.
Samuel Grey, 39, of Blackburn Avenue, Bridlington pleaded guilty to one animal welfare offence following an investigation and prosecution by the RSPCA.
The animal welfare charity received concerns for the ten year old shar pei so visited her owner’s home where Animal Rescue Officer (ARO) James Dack found Boo to have a “severe skin condition, with fur loss on a large portion of her body.” She was also noted to be “very subdued” and “constantly scratching.”
ARO Dack explained: “I was immediately concerned for the welfare of Boo, she appeared to be in extreme discomfort, likely in pain and in my opinion, needed to see a vet urgently for treatment.”
The vet who examined Boo said in their report to the court: “It was immediately obvious that Boo had severe skin disease. The owner had reported … that Boo had not been to a vet for years.
“Boo had hair thinning over the majority of her body. Her skin was chronically thickened and pigmented in multiple areas.”
The vet also reported that Boo had “numerous sores on her skin” and “numerous warty masses.”
Due to the severity of Boo’s condition, it was sadly determined to be in Boo’s best interests that she be put to sleep.
Alongside the two year ban, Grey was also sentenced to pay a fine of £120 and a victim surcharge of £48, alongside costs of £200, when he appeared at Scarborough Magistrates Court on May 29.
In mitigation, it was said that this had not been malicious offending but that Grey had been overwhelmed by mental health difficulties and unable to care for Boo properly. It was also heard that he took Boo to a vets but could not afford the prescribed medication.
The RSPCA publishes advice on its website about those struggling amid cost of living challenges.
Speaking after sentencing, ARO Dack said:
“Owning an animal is a privilege – and ensuring appropriate care is a key responsibility we have towards them. Animals are completely reliant on their owners to ensure their needs are met and they are kept safe and healthy.
“If any pet owner is struggling to care for their animal, we’d encourage them to reach out to a local charity or organisation who can help.”
Full details of offence:
“That between 25th April 2025 and 25th June 2025 at Blackburn Avenue, Bridlington, you did not take such steps as were reasonable in all the circumstances to ensure that the needs of an animal namely a female Shar Pei dog known as Boo (exhibited as EJH/01) for which you were responsible were met to the extent required by good practice by one or a combination of the following:
- By failing to provide veterinary treatment for skin disease.
- By failing to provide veterinary treatment for an ear infection.
- By failing to protect the animal from pain, suffering and disease.
contrary to Section 9(1) of the Animal Welfare Act 2006”.
