ANTHONY AND SALLY MAKIN FROM BROMBOROUGH SENTENCED FOR ANIMAL CRUELTY AND BREACH OF DISQUALIFICATION

Anthony and Sally Makin, residents of Dale Avenue in Bromborough, have been found guilty of serious breaches related to animal welfare and their previous disqualification from keeping animals. The couple, born on January 16, 1975, and January 1, 1975, respectively, faced justice after neglecting their dog, Sky, a Rottweiler, and violating a court order that prohibited them from owning animals.

In 2015, the Makins had already been banned from keeping any animals following a conviction under the Animal Welfare Act. Despite this, they kept a dog named Sky at their Bromborough home. The situation came to light in June 2017 when the RSPCA received a report indicating that the couple still had a dog at their residence. Inspector Anthony Joynes from the RSPCA responded to the call and made contact with Tony Makin, who confirmed that they had a Rottweiler called Sky. During the interview, Makin admitted that they had owned Sky for approximately seven months but had not taken him for walks during that entire period. Their fear of being caught led them to neglect the dog’s basic needs, resulting in Sky becoming significantly overweight and developing overgrown claws.

Inspector Joynes further revealed that Sky was suffering from leg problems, which the Makins had self-diagnosed as arthritis. However, upon veterinary examination, it was discovered that Sky had a bone tumour on his front right leg, a condition known to be extremely painful. Unfortunately, the cancer had metastasized to his lungs, making the tumour inoperable. Despite the grim prognosis, the veterinary team provided pain relief to Sky, who was then taken into the care of the RSPCA’s Wirral branch. Due to his size, the staff affectionately renamed him Maximus. He was cared for behind the reception area, where he quickly became a beloved figure among the staff, receiving plenty of fuss and attention.

Sadly, just a few weeks after arriving at the RSPCA facility, Maximus’s condition worsened. The veterinary team concluded that it would be kinder to euthanize him to prevent further suffering. Inspector Joynes expressed that the decision was heartbreaking but necessary, emphasizing that if the RSPCA had not intervened, Sky would have been found collapsed and in severe pain one day. The intervention, though tragic, ensured that Sky’s final weeks were filled with comfort and care, a stark contrast to the neglect he endured at the hands of the Makins.

In sentencing, the court imposed a 12-month community order on both Anthony and Sally Makin, along with a 20-week curfew. Each was also ordered to pay £335 in fines. Additionally, they were disqualified from owning animals for five years, although this disqualification expired in 2022. The case highlights the importance of animal welfare laws and the ongoing efforts of organizations like the RSPCA to protect vulnerable animals from cruelty and neglect.