OLDHAM DOG IN EXTREME NEGLECT CASE LEADS TO COURT SENTENCING
On 21 March 2025 Animal Rescue Officer Freya Norton and Inspector Beth Fazackerley visited the Oldham home of Darren Humphries and Wendy Dow to investigate welfare concerns about a dog called Ella at the address.The crossbreed dog was extremely underweight, with prominent ribs, hips and skull.
She was wearing a nappy secured with hair ties, which had caused painful sores.
Humphries and Dow claimed she had worn the nappy since they got her in August 2024 due to incontinence.
The RSPCA found the dog in a severely neglected state, with a body condition score of just one out of nine, severe dental disease, cataracts, a heart murmur, overgrown nails, pressure sores, and clinical signs of diabetes mellitus, later confirmed by lab tests.
Because of her poor prognosis and the extent of her condition, the veterinarian advised euthanasia as the kindest option.
Ella was humanely put to sleep the same day.
Beth Fazackerley stated, “I stroked Ella as she lay down and was shocked at how easily I could feel the dips between each rib as my hand ran over her rib cage.” The owners consented to her being taken to the RSPCA’s Greater Manchester Animal Hospital for urgent examination.
The veterinarian’s report said Ella would have been deteriorating for at least three weeks, likely for several months.
Regardless of the causes, the vet emphasized that veterinary treatment should have been sought much earlier.
Both Humphries and Dow admitted in court to failing to take reasonable steps to meet Ella’s needs.
Following the sentencing, Inspector Beth Fazackerley highlighted the importance of early veterinary intervention when animals show signs of distress.
Sentencing included 12 months of community orders, 12 days of rehabilitation activity, 60 hours of unpaid work, and each was ordered to pay £200 in costs.
No ban on keeping animals was mentioned.
