A German Shepherd called Sparrow was found at a property in South Shields by an RSPCA Inspector last July. His face was tied with brown parcel tape.placeholder image
A German Shepherd called Sparrow was found at a property in South Shields by an RSPCA Inspector last July. His face was tied with brown parcel tape. | RSPCA
The shocking case of a South Shields dog was revealed by the RSPCA.
A mistreated and underweight German Shepherd had to be put down after having his mouth parcel-taped shut ‘24/7’ by a South Shields owner.
The young dog, named Sparrow, was only set free from the facial binds when fed by Joanne Falconer, of Millais Gardens, South Shields.
An RSPCA inspection last July found the dog at the property, along with two flea-infected, dehydrated kittens. Sparrow was underweight and wearing a muzzle which was attached to his face with brown parcel tape and only removed when he was fed.
At a sentencing hearing at South Tyneside Magistrates Court on 31 March his owner, Falconer, was disqualified from keeping animals for five years following an investigation and prosecution by the RSPCA.
Falconer had pleaded guilty to two offences contrary to the Animal Welfare Act 2006 at an earlier hearing in relation to Sparrow, as well as two severely dehydrated kittens who were also found at her address and later had to be put on a drip.
Sadly, despite ongoing care, Sparrow’s health did not improve and he was put to sleep by a vet.
German Shepherd, Sparrow, had to be put down by a vet after his mistreatment.placeholder image
German Shepherd, Sparrow, had to be put down by a vet after his mistreatment. | RSPCA
‘Concerned about the dog’s physical condition’
The court was told RSPCA Inspector Rowena Proctor went to the property on July 8 last year after the charity had received welfare concerns about a thin dog who reportedly had a muzzle taped to his head.
In her written evidence to the court the officer said: “The muzzle was a plastic basket style with silver gaffer tape wrapped around the muzzle area and brown parcel tape that appeared to be wrapped around the straps to the back of the head, holding it in place.
“I was very concerned about the dog’s physical condition. It was clear he was very underweight with his ribs, spine and pelvis visible. A metal dog bowl was in the living room but this was empty, and even if there was any food or water in it, the dog would not have been able to access it without assistance due to the muzzle that I was told was permanently in place.
“I asked if there were any other animals at the address and was advised that there were two kittens in the kitchen which was extremely littered and untidy. There were two young cats in there - Alpha, a black female, and Beta, a tabby and white male.
“I was advised that they were brother and sister, neither had ever seen a vet and neither were neutered. I could see fleas crawling on Beta and I was also concerned by Alpha’s condition as I could feel her ribs and pelvis with ease. There was no food or water available for the cats in this room.”
Dog muzzled ‘24/7’
The inspector was told Sparrow was muzzled “24/7” because he kept chewing himself, but the restraint was removed four times a day when he was fed.
This crude, taped muzzle was only taken off the South Shields dog when he ate.placeholder image
This crude, taped muzzle was only taken off the South Shields dog when he ate. | RSPCA
Falconer confirmed she owned all three animals and the dog had last seen a vet two months ago. She was advised by the officer that they needed to be examined and she agreed the Inspector could take them.
The vet who saw them at a local practice confirmed they were suffering or likely to suffer. Police were contacted and Sparrow, Alpha and Beta were taken into possession under the Animal Welfare Act.
After receiving treatment they were transported to private boarding facilities while the RSPCA’s enquiries continued.
Muzzle caused ‘immense mental strain’ on the dog
The RSPCA shared this image of the muzzle taped to a dog in South Shields, which had to be put down.placeholder image
The RSPCA shared this image of the muzzle taped to a dog in South Shields, which had to be put down. | RSPCA
In her written statement to the court the vet said: “Sparrow was diagnosed with assumed allergic skin disease and a secondary bacterial infection. Allergic skin disease is a common condition affecting many dogs. This causes inflammation in the skin resulting in an itch that eventually leads to breaking of the skin barrier by the animal’s scratching predisposing it to secondary infections.
“Although this condition can’t necessarily be prevented or cured it can be managed by seeking veterinary attention. Placing a muzzle on an itchy dog would cause severe distress in being unable to scratch. This would result in immense mental strain.
“He was underweight with a body condition score of 3/9. He was provided with food and he ate this readily. No obvious underlying medical cause for this could be found leading to the assumption that he was simply not provided with enough food to sustain a healthy body condition. This had likely been ongoing for at least one month but likely longer.”
Kittens now set to be rehomed
The court heard Alpha and Beta were in fairly good condition but covered in fleas. If left untreated the inflammation and irritation caused by the flea bites would have likely resulted in trauma to the skin by the animal’s itching, predisposing them to similar infection that had affected Sparrow.
One of the kittens also found at the address in South Shields.placeholder image
One of the kittens also found at the address in South Shields. | RSPCA
Both kittens were dehydrated and as neither had been neutered they would have bred uncontrollably if they had continued to be left together. They are said to have recovered well and can now be legally rehomed by the RSPCA after Falconer refused to sign any of the animals over during the course of the charity’s investigation.
Falconer was also fined £300 and ordered to pay costs of £300 and an £80 victim surcharge. In mitigation it was said she had provided well intentioned but incompetent care for her pets.
Speaking after sentencing Inspector Proctor said “I was appalled to see that poor Sparrow had a muzzle attached permanently to his face and the lengths the owner had gone to to keep this muzzle in place. It was there to stop Sparrow from chewing himself, but all he actually needed was veterinary care to stop his itching. I’m glad that we are now finally able to start the process of finding Alpha and Beta new homes.”
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