A Birmingham couple has been handed a decade-long ban on keeping animals after their severely neglected German Shepherd was found in a state of shocking emaciation and living in squalor.
RSPCA inspectors discovered the distressed dog, named Diesel, confined to a filthy kitchen surrounded by his own excrement during a visit to the Kingstanding property in August last year.
Disturbing Discovery
When animal welfare officers arrived at the home of Kelly Marie Jones and Dean Anthony Wilkes, they were confronted with a heartbreaking scene. The one-year-old German Shepherd was so thin that his ribs, spine, and hip bones were visibly protruding through his skin.
The animal was immediately rushed to a veterinary practice for emergency assessment, where the true extent of his suffering became apparent.
Veterinary Evidence Reveals Shocking Neglect
Veterinary examination revealed Diesel scored just one out of nine on the body condition scale, indicating severe malnutrition. The professional assessment concluded the dog had been subjected to prolonged neglect, suffering for several weeks without adequate nutrition or proper care.
Additional health issues were noted, including overgrown nails and pressure sores, further evidence of the animal's poor living conditions and lack of basic welfare.
Legal Consequences and Sentencing
At Birmingham Magistrates' Court, both Jones and Wilkes pleaded guilty to animal welfare offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
The court imposed a comprehensive 10-year ban on keeping all animals, preventing either defendant from owning, caring for, or influencing the treatment of any creature during this period.
In addition to the disqualification order, both received:
- 12-month community orders with 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days
- Costs of £400 each
- £114 victim surcharge
Diesel's Remarkable Recovery
Following his rescue, Diesel underwent extensive rehabilitation and has made an excellent recovery. The transformed dog has since been successfully rehomed and is now thriving in a caring environment where his welfare needs are properly met.
RSPCA officials have emphasised that this case serves as a stark reminder of the legal and moral responsibilities that come with pet ownership, and the serious consequences that follow when those responsibilities are neglected.
