Birmingham couple who starved & neglected nearly 30 animals, including 18 dogs, get prison sentences

In total, 18 dogs, three cats, six horses and a donkey were rescued
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A couple have received prison sentences and have been banned from owning animals for life after dozens of animals were rescued from their address in Brierley Hill.

In total, 18 dogs, three cats, six horses and a donkey were rescued after many were found shut in dilapidated kennels, sheds, shipping containers, horse boxes and vans within a scrap yard behind the couple’s address.

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John (Jason), 46, and Lisa, 35, Evans of Pedmore Road, Brierley Hill, Birmingham were handed prison sentences. John was sentenced to 16 weeks in prison and Lisa was given 12 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months. She must also undertake 20 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement (RAR) days with a critical thinking programme.

Horses found at the Birmingham address (Credit: RSPCA)Horses found at the Birmingham address (Credit: RSPCA)
Horses found at the Birmingham address (Credit: RSPCA)

RSPCA banned then from owning animals after the prosecution. The animals were found surrounded by hazards and faeces and without bedding, very few of the animals had access to water or food. Some were also suffering due to a variety of untreated ailments and in desperate need of veterinary help.

Animals rescued

On 29 July 2021, RSPCA inspectors were called to the couple’s address by West Midlands Police because of concerns for the welfare of animals at the property. The rescuers arrived around 9pm and used head torches to search for animals. Officers first discovered six horses, including three foals who were curled up together in a heap on the floor.

RSPCA Inspector Jack Alderson, who investigated this site, said: “This enclosure was too small for this number of animals. There was no hay or any other food available and although there was a large black trough in front of me, it contained nothing.

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“The floor was completely sodden with a large build up of faeces and the roof wasn’t large enough to cover the animals inside. This was compounded by the numerous hazards dotted around the enclosure including gates and ladders on the floor.”

A starved dog found at the address (Credit: RSPCA) A starved dog found at the address (Credit: RSPCA)
A starved dog found at the address (Credit: RSPCA)

Another pen contained a horse with ribs and hips clearly visible. There was no food source available and no water. The floor was layered with faeces and there was a strong smell of ammonia. The only access to the horse’s enclosure had been blocked with car doors, pallets, a car engine, a large white box, and other large objects, indicating it had not been opened in a long time.

Inside a shed, the charity’s rescuers discovered two young kittens alongside a dead kitten with a hole in his abdomen which exposed flesh and bone, and the skull of another animal.

Inspector Alderson added: “Upon opening the door to the shed, both live kittens rushed to get out. Both in very poor body condition and were calling frantically to show they were very hungry.”

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A horsebox inside the yard contained another horse with visible ribs and hips. There was no food source or water available and the floor space consisted of a build up of faeces. The horse was also caked in faeces all around his legs and feet.

Two lurchers were found in poor bodily condition, tethered to their kennels with no food, water or bedding. Six more dogs were discovered in an outdoor kennel without suitable access to water. The floor consisted of dried faeces and old bedding. The body of a decomposing dead puppy was found in the back of a white transit van.

Next to this vehicle was a blue horse box style container, inside was a horse with ribs and spine visible.

In a garden, three more dogs were discovered, and inside the house were crates stacked on top of each other containing two young puppies. Beneath this crate was another crate that was the same size as the one above. It housed a collie type dog and a long haired terrier. This crate had no bedding or no food or water in it. It contained childrens’ toys, urine and faeces and didn’t offer enough space for both to sit down or or rest comfortably.

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Inside a shipping container, which had been split into two compartments, were two dogs, a male German shepherd dog and female mastiff, both were lethargic with their bones visible. The female dog also had a swollen eye which was discharging a large amount of green fluid.

Describing how he felt as he helped her to safety, Inspector Alderson said: “The conditions in this enclosure were also horrendous. The floor consisted of animal faeces and there was no comfortable rest area. The mastiff was in a concerning state, clearly suffering from a painful eye issue, a lack of adequate nutrition, and living in filth. This was one of the worst animal welfare situations I have ever been faced with.”

The couple, who were sentenced at Coventry Magistrates Court on September 12, must also each pay £500 costs and a £128 victim surcharge. They can not appeal to have their lifetime animal disqualifications to be lifted for ten years.

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