WARNING: DISTRESSING CONTENT Irene Pallent, 65, her partner Derek Lane, 61, and Irene’s son Stuart Pallent, 40, have been given suspended prison sentences and animal bans
A family has been prohibited from keeping animals following their neglect of three dogs, leaving them to endure weeks of suffering. Irene Pallent, 65, her partner Derek Lane, 61, and Irene’s son Stuart Pallent, 40, have received suspended jail terms and are banned from owning animals for between 10 and 15 years after failing to care for three Jack Russell Terriers.
The dogs were discovered at Leighton Road in Grangetown last December and seized by police before the RSPCA launched an investigation. The animals were all experiencing severe fur loss and had overgrown nails – with one being blind.
The three family members were sentenced for their neglect at Teesside Magistrates’ Court on September 3, having each admitted to two animal welfare offences. The court heard there was particular worry about an elderly female dog named Sadie, who was nearly bald and appeared blind, with discharge seeping from her eyes.
Sadie
The veterinary surgeon who examined them following their removal by the RSPCA said their requirements had not been fulfilled and they had endured unnecessary suffering for at least six weeks due to the defendants’ failure to address their skin condition. Sadie was almost entirely bald with severe dermatitis and a bacterial skin infection known as pyoderma, reports Teesside Live.
She weighed 3.8kgs (8.37lbs) and was assessed with a body condition score of 2/9, indicating she was severely underweight. Sadie’s body was covered with multiple lumps, her nails were overgrown and she had lost her sight.
She was also displaying signs of neurological issues and was continually moving in circles.
The veterinary surgeon stated Sadie had been left to suffer for a minimum of four weeks due to the defendants’ failure to address her deteriorating physical condition. Given her advanced state of dementia, the vet advised she should be put to sleep to prevent further suffering.
Rosy and Susie
Eight-year-old Rosy was a female Jack Russell terrier type who was similarly underweight and experiencing severe skin loss alongside overgrown nails. The third animal, Susie, was another older Jack Russell terrier type with fur loss.
Her nails had also become overgrown and she had various lumps beneath her skin, notably three mammary tumours.
In her written statement to the court the vet said: “Sadie, Rosy and Susie were all suffering from advanced skin disease. This was obvious from the very notable loss of fur, the thickened and reddened skin and the notable irritation to the animals particularly when handling them. There was also a notable odour.
“The most likely initiating cause of the skin problem was flea allergic dermatitis, one of the most common skin diseases in dogs and fleas are one of the most common parasites. Flea bites initially cause minor irritation. However, with exposure over time, many animals become allergic to the bites and even one or two bites can cause major histamine release leading to severe itching.
“Left untreated the skin becomes disrupted, the hair falls out, the skin becomes thickened and infected. This leads to further distress for the dog.
“Any responsible and humane person would have recognised that there was a problem causing all three dogs distress and would have sought appropriate advice and treatment. In the case of Sadie, her emaciated state was visibly obvious. Whatever the reason for loss of body condition, it is incumbent on an owner to monitor the condition of their animals and address any notable changes.”
Jointly responsible
Throughout the investigation, Derek Lane acknowledged sharing responsibility for the dogs alongside Irene and Stuart Pallent, agreeing to surrender them to the RSPCA. He was informed that a veterinary surgeon had assessed the animals and concluded they had endured needless suffering, yet Lane rejected the opportunity to obtain a second opinion from a vet of his choosing and declined to participate in an RSPCA interview.
Irene Pallent stated that Sadie belonged to her son, while the remaining two dogs were hers. She acknowledged that all three dogs were in a poor condition at Leighton Road, but declined both an independent veterinary examination and an interview regarding the circumstances.
Stuart Pallent informed the Inspector that he, his mother and her partner had all shared responsibility for the dogs prior to their removal, though he too declined to be interviewed about the matter. Irene Pallent, now residing at The Peppergarth, Northallerton, received a 17-week custodial sentence, suspended for 12 months, and was banned from keeping animals for 15 years.
Derek Lane, also of The Peppergarth, and Stuart Pallent, of Yarm Road, Stockton, each received a 16-week sentence, suspended for 12 months, along with a 10-year ban. All three defendants were ordered to pay costs of £450 each and a £154 victim surcharge.
Rosy was taken in by the RSPCA’s Warrington, Halton and St Helens Branch, where it took six weeks to bring her skin condition under control. She has since been rehomed and is virtually unrecognisable, though her skin continues to be carefully monitored.
‘Weeks of neglect’
Despite receiving lengthy treatment, Susie’s health did not improve and she was sadly put to sleep on veterinary advice. RSPCA Chief Inspector for Durham and Cleveland, Natalie Hill, said: “These little dogs suffered weeks of neglect because the defendants hadn’t provided the most basic of care.
“Providing flea treatment is part and parcel of being a responsible owner and treating pets regularly stops infestations before they harm the animal or spread in the home. Sadly all three dogs had not received the care they should have for quite some time; Sadie’s condition in particular was very distressing.
“Thanks to the appropriate treatment, Rosy now looks like a different dog, and her transformation is also testament to the love and care she received at our branch-run animal centre in Warrington.”
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