CLAIRE SHEARS FROM KILLINGWORTH SENTENCED FOR CRUELTY TO BICHON FRISÉE IN NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE

In a case that has shocked animal welfare advocates, Claire Shears, a resident of Killingworth, was found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to her pet dog, Basil, a bichon frise, due to neglectful grooming practices. The incident, which took place at her home on Angus Close in Newcastle Upon Tyne, revealed the severe consequences of her failure to care for her pet properly.

According to reports, Shears allowed Basil’s fur to become so severely matted that it impeded his ability to see and hear properly. The neglect was so extreme that the dog’s fur had formed tight, almost boot-like clumps around his feet, rendering him unable to walk freely. One of Basil’s eyes, the left one, was completely covered by matted fur, which was inflamed, red, and sore. The fur had become so tightly matted that it was touching his ear and mouth, causing him significant discomfort and pain.

It was during the period between March 11 and May 11, 2017, that Shears admitted to neglecting her responsibility to groom Basil adequately, leading to his suffering. The RSPCA inspector Helen Bestwick described the condition of the dog upon rescue, stating, “It took over two hours to dematt Basil. He was in a terrible state. His eye was matted to his ear and nose and was pulling tight, and he looked like he was wearing boots because of the matted fur on his feet.”

Following the grooming session, Basil’s demeanor changed dramatically. Inspector Bestwick recounted, “Afterwards, he was running around like a pup, clearly very happy to be free of the matting which was causing him to suffer. Fortunately, the skin underneath wasn’t too badly affected, and once he was groomed, he started feeling much better.”

The RSPCA’s investigation into Shears’ neglect began in October 2018, when they first visited her home. Despite multiple visits—almost twenty in total—they struggled to gain access to see Basil until May 2019, when officers finally removed him from her care. Tragically, Basil’s life was cut short in July of the same year after he was diagnosed with an aggressive throat tumour, which was unrelated to the neglect case but ultimately led to his euthanasia.

Veterinary examinations revealed that the tumour was highly malignant and would have caused him significant suffering if left untreated. The vet’s discovery during a routine procedure was a heartbreaking moment for everyone involved, as Basil had been suffering from poor health and a lack of proper care for some time.

In court, Shears was sentenced to a 12-month community order, which includes 15 days of rehabilitation activities. She was also ordered to pay £285 in costs and was banned from owning dogs for ten years, a restriction that will remain in effect until November 2027. The case highlights the importance of responsible pet ownership and the devastating consequences neglect can have on vulnerable animals.