EBONY CARTWRIGHT-HORROCKS FROM HASLINGDEN CONVICTED OVER CRUELTY TO GERMAN SHEPHERD PUPPIES IN ROSSENDALE

In a disturbing case of animal neglect, Ebony Louise Cartwright-Horrocks, a resident of Cedar Avenue in Haslingden, Rossendale, has been convicted of severe cruelty towards two young German shepherd puppies. The incident drew significant attention from local authorities and animal welfare organizations after a harrowing investigation into the conditions in which the animals were kept.

On March 23, 2021, an RSPCA inspector, accompanied by a police officer, visited the property following reports of possible animal abuse. Upon entering the premises, both officials were immediately overwhelmed by the strong, pungent smell of ammonia emanating from the house. The fumes were so intense that the police officer struggled to breathe and had to retreat from the scene, while the RSPCA officer’s eyes began watering uncontrollably. The interior of the house was found to be in a deplorable state, with the floor covered in dog feces and soaked with urine, indicating a complete neglect of basic hygiene and animal welfare standards.

Further examination of the two 14-week-old German shepherd puppies revealed alarming injuries. One of the puppies had ingested a nail, a clear sign of the hazardous environment in which they were kept. The vet who assessed the animals confirmed that the ammonia levels in the house would have had a harmful effect on the puppies, similar to the impact on the human officers who entered the premises. The veterinarian concluded that the person responsible for their care had failed to provide a suitable and safe environment for the animals.

During police interviews, Cartwright-Horrocks admitted to owning the puppies and stated that they were kept in the living room and kitchen areas of her home. She also acknowledged that she was often away from the house, leaving the dogs alone between 11 am and 6 pm most days. During her absence, the puppies would urinate and defecate inside the house, contributing to the unsanitary conditions. Despite her claims of ownership, the puppies have since been signed over to the RSPCA for their protection.

Prosecutor Paul Ridehalgh, representing the RSPCA, emphasized the severity of the neglect, stating that the conditions were detrimental to the animals’ health and well-being. He urged the court to consider restrictions on Cartwright-Horrocks’s ability to keep or control animals in the future. Her defense lawyer, Duncan Nightingale, argued that her neglect was unintentional and that she was unprepared for the responsibilities of caring for young dogs. He stressed that her failure was not due to starvation or lack of veterinary care but was primarily due to the appalling living conditions she allowed to develop.

In sentencing, the court ordered Cartwright-Horrocks to pay a total fine of £534. Additionally, she was banned from owning or controlling any animals for a period of ten years, a restriction that will remain in effect until November 2031. This case highlights the importance of animal welfare laws and the ongoing efforts of authorities to protect vulnerable animals from neglect and abuse in the Rossendale area.