WIDNES MAN DAWID PALYZ SENTENCED FOR CRUELTY TO PETS IN WIDNES

Dawid Palyz, a resident of Widnes, was found guilty of neglecting his pets to the point where they had to be euthanized due to their severe suffering. The case drew attention after concerns were raised about the welfare of a dog and a rabbit under his care in Widnes, prompting intervention from the RSPCA and local authorities.

Born around 1985, Palyz lived at 38A Bechers, Widnes WA8 4TE. The investigation was initiated after police officers noticed the poor condition of the animals during a routine check. Concerned about their health, the police reported the matter to the RSPCA, which then took action to assess the animals' welfare.

Despite being advised by RSPCA officers to seek veterinary treatment for the animals, Palyz failed to do so. The animals, a 13-year-old German Shepherd named Vaga and a rabbit called Snow, were seized from his care and taken to a veterinarian for examination. The veterinarian found that Vaga was suffering from a skin disease, and Snow was suffering from severe conjunctivitis, both conditions that required urgent medical attention.

Tragically, both animals were deemed to be in such poor health that they had to be put to sleep on welfare grounds. During police interviews, Palyz admitted to neglecting his responsibilities as a pet owner but attributed his failure to financial difficulties. He also revealed that he had been struggling with his health due to stress, which led him to take a significant amount of time off work.

A probation officer involved in the case explained that Palyz acknowledged the previous health issues of Vaga, which had seen her visiting the vet multiple times. The officer noted that the deterioration of both the dog and the rabbit's health had occurred rapidly, leading to the difficult decision to euthanize them. Palyz was visibly upset during the interview, expressing his emotional connection to the animals, whom he considered family pets.

Prosecutor Anna McDonald from the RSPCA detailed the timeline of events, stating that in July 2023, Palyz had a telephone conversation with the RSPCA, during which he agreed to an appointment for the organization to inspect Vaga. When RSPCA officers visited his home on July 21, they observed the dog with obvious hair loss and skin issues, as well as Snow with a weeping eye. Palyz confirmed that neither animal had been seen by a vet, and a warning notice was issued, instructing him to seek veterinary care by August 14.

Follow-up calls in August and September confirmed that no veterinary treatment had been sought, despite Palyz claiming he had scheduled appointments with local vets. However, investigations revealed no record of any such visits. The case took a more serious turn when, on September 29, RSPCA inspectors revisited Palyz’s home and found the animals in an even worse state. Vaga was nearly hairless, and Snow’s eyes were scabby and filled with pus. Palyz acknowledged that the dog should be euthanized, describing it as a difficult but necessary decision.

He consented to surrender the animals to the RSPCA, allowing veterinary examinations to be conducted. The veterinarian, Mr. Rawling, confirmed that both animals were suffering and recommended euthanasia on welfare grounds. Palyz cooperated fully with the process, giving his consent for the animals to be put to sleep.

The court heard that the animals had likely been suffering for at least a month before their euthanasia. While there was no evidence to suggest deliberate cruelty, the neglect was severe enough to warrant the animals’ death. The case highlighted the importance of responsible pet ownership and the consequences of neglect.

During sentencing, Justice Alan Ayers acknowledged Palyz’s mental health struggles but emphasized that the animals were in extreme pain at the time of intervention. He criticized Palyz for falsely claiming he would seek veterinary treatment while neglecting to do so, describing the veterinarian’s report as sobering. Palyz was sentenced to 16 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months, and ordered to complete 80 hours of unpaid work, along with 10 days of rehabilitation activities. He was also fined £400 to cover RSPCA costs, plus a £154 surcharge. Additionally, Palyz was banned from keeping animals for five years, with the ban set to expire in June 2029.