DEAN PARKES AND FAE PRANGLE SHOCK MALMESBURY AND SHERSTON WITH CRUELTY CASE INVOLVING WILTSHIRE DOGS

In a disturbing case that has rocked the communities of Malmesbury and Sherston in Wiltshire, Dean Callum Parkes and Fae Brittany Prangle faced serious allegations related to the welfare of their pets. The incident centered around a miniature dachshund named Mable, who suffered critical injuries while in Parkes's care, prompting a thorough investigation by the RSPCA.

According to court proceedings, Mable, a four-year-old miniature dachshund, was found to have sustained severe chest injuries consistent with blunt force trauma. These injuries occurred while the dog was under the supervision of Dean Parkes, who resides on Orwell Close in Malmesbury. Fae Prangle, who had recently begun a romantic relationship with Parkes and lives in Easton Square, Sherston, took Mable to a veterinarian after noticing her distress. The vet initially observed signs of a high heart rate and abdominal pain, but advised that Mable could be sent home with monitoring. However, as her condition worsened, Prangle returned to the veterinary clinic for a more comprehensive examination.

The subsequent assessment revealed that Mable had suffered multiple fractures, including three broken ribs and several pelvic fractures. The veterinarian compared the severity of her injuries to those typically resulting from a road traffic accident. Despite the clear evidence of trauma, Fae Prangle was unable to provide any explanation for how her dog sustained such injuries, which led to the involvement of the RSPCA. While Dean Parkes was acquitted of directly inflicting the injuries, he was convicted of failing to protect Mable from pain, suffering, and injury. Fae Prangle was found not guilty of the charges against her, and both Mable and another dog with similar injuries, a dog named Matilda, were returned to her custody.

The RSPCA's intervention occurred on January 6, 2022, when officers visited Prangle’s home in Sherston. During the visit, they seized Mable, an 18-month-old miniature dachshund puppy named Matilda, and Duke, a red Labrador owned by Parkes. Veterinary examinations confirmed that Matilda had also sustained multiple pelvic fractures, similar to those of Mable. It was revealed that Prangle had sought treatment for Matilda on December 3, claiming that the dog had jumped off an embankment during a walk and was limping. She insisted that the limp was intermittent and that the dog showed no signs of pain or serious injury, leading to her being prescribed anti-inflammatory medication and released without further investigation.

Both Parkes and Prangle faced charges of causing unnecessary suffering to Mable and Matilda by neglecting to seek prompt veterinary care and failing to protect them from pain and injury. During the trial, the accounts provided by the couple were largely similar, but they were contradicted by Heather Prangle, Fae’s sister. After considering expert evidence, District Judge Joanna Dickens concluded that Parkes was not guilty of inflicting the injuries directly, stating, “He clearly had the opportunity to do it. I didn’t find his explanation very convincing. Whilst he could have done it, and certainly on the balance of probabilities did do it, I am not sure, and therefore I find you not guilty.”

Nevertheless, Parkes was convicted of failing to protect Mable from pain, suffering, and injury, with the judge remarking, “Mr Parkes was responsible for that animal when that injury happened. Something happened to Mable, I don’t know what happened, but I’m sure Mr Parkes knows. Whether he did it or someone else did it, either way, he didn’t take reasonable steps to prevent this happening.”

Fae Prangle was found not guilty on all charges, with Judge Dickens noting her evident love for her dogs and her efforts to seek veterinary care when concerned. Parkes, who is also a co-director of Empire Construction & Carpentry Limited, has a prior police caution for harassing an ex-girlfriend. He is scheduled for sentencing in June 2023 and faces a potential ban from owning animals in the future. Both Mable and Matilda have been returned to Prangle’s care, and she continues her relationship with Parkes, residing with him in Wiltshire, despite the serious allegations and convictions.