BRYAN AND GEORGINA RILEY AND GRINGLEY ON THE HILL: ANIMAL CRUELTY PROSECUTION

Bryan Riley, born around 1946, and his wife Georgina Riley, born around 1951, both residents of Gringley on the Hill, were convicted in 2022 for keeping eight severely neglected dogs in deplorable conditions inside the back of a filthy van.

Four of these dogs were rescued from the stinking, faeces-strewn van where their owners had kept them in squalid conditions. Among the rescued animals was Lola, a four-year-old French bulldog, whose infected eye was so badly damaged that it later had to be surgically removed.

The Rileys faced prosecution by the RSPCA after they failed to comply with an assessment notice concerning their dogs. When RSPCA inspector Daniel Bradshaw and a police officer tried to apprehend the couple, they drove away in a transit van. The dogs were eventually confiscated from the interior of the foul-smelling vehicle.

Veterinary examinations revealed that most of the dogs were suffering from malnutrition and various health issues. Lola’s eye was hanging out with a large, oozing scab that had faeces stuck to it. Inspector Bradshaw described the van's interior as having “such a strong smell of faeces, urine and ammonia that I struggled to put my head inside for more than two seconds.”

Other dogs included Hugo, a French bulldog with thinning fur, scabs, and a weeping sore; Libby, another Frenchie, with open sores and a collar so tight that her neck was reddened; Iggy, a dachshund with extensive hair loss and scabs; Lady, a second dachshund with thinning fur; and three poodles—Angel and Coco, a mother and daughter with matted coats, and Rosie, whose coat was matted with faeces and urine.

The court was told that both Bryan and Georgina Riley suffered from physical health issues and struggled to care for their dogs. They kept the animals in the van partly because their property had become a target for burglars.

In his witness statement, Inspector Bradshaw stated: “Lola’s eyeball was hanging out and appeared to have a large scab that was oozing blood and pus, and faeces were stuck to it. She had scabs and sores in her coat, as well as a skin condition.”

Bryan Riley pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering, including failing to provide veterinary care for three dogs suffering from skin disease and for Lola’s injured eye. He also admitted to failing to meet the welfare needs of all eight dogs. Georgina Riley pleaded guilty to failing to ensure the dogs' needs were met.

Mitigation presented to the court explained that the Rileys were experiencing health problems and kept the dogs in the van because their property had become unsafe due to burglaries. Fortunately, all the dogs recovered and were rehomed through the RSPCA.

After the hearing, Inspector Bradshaw commented: “Lola’s eye was very infected, and to leave her with her eye hanging out was unacceptable, as was the entire environment in which the dogs were kept—inside a van with urine and faeces seeping out.”

Regarding sentencing, Bryan Riley was ordered to pay a total of £1,225 in fines, costs, and surcharge. Georgina Riley was ordered to pay £684 in total. Both individuals received an eight-year ban from keeping animals.