PORTLAND COUPLE EMMA COMBEN AND MARTYN BUCKLE SENTENCED FOR CRUELTY TO DOG IN PORTLAND
| Red Rose Database
Portland Animal Abuser
In a disturbing case that has shocked the local community of Portland, Emma Comben, also known as Jo Comben, and her partner Martyn Buckle, both residents of Tillycombe Road, Portland, Dorset DT5 1LF, have been found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to a defenseless Staffordshire Bull Terrier named Tia. The incident, which took place over a span of nearly three months from August 3 to October 28, 2016, involved the pair imprisoning Tia in a cage and neglecting her basic needs, leading to severe physical deterioration.
According to reports from a concerned member of the public, the RSPCA launched an investigation after receiving distressing information about the dog's condition. When inspectors arrived at the property, they discovered Tia in a deplorable state—her body was so emaciated that her bones were prominently visible through her skin. The dog was confined within a small, faeces-encrusted crate, left without adequate food or water for an extended period. The neglect was so severe that her weight had plummeted to just 10 kilograms, a stark contrast to her healthy weight, and she was suffering immensely.
Fortunately, after her rescue, Tia was provided with proper veterinary care and a nutritious diet. Her condition improved significantly, and she quickly gained weight, reaching a healthy 16 kilograms. Her recovery was so successful that she was placed in a loving new home earlier this month, offering her the chance for a fresh start after enduring such cruelty.
During court proceedings, Comben and Buckle admitted to causing unnecessary suffering to Tia. They explained that they had struggled to manage the dog after starting a family, claiming that Tia refused to eat after being confined in the cage. However, they did not seek any professional veterinary assistance or contact animal welfare organizations to address her worsening condition. The investigation revealed that their neglect was a clear violation of the Animal Welfare Act 2006, specifically Section 9, which mandates providing animals with a suitable environment and proper care.
Inspector Ken Snook of the RSPCA expressed his dismay at the case, stating, “The neglect suffered by Tia could have been easily avoided. Sadly, she was cruelly left to suffer in a faeces-encrusted crate without the care she needed and deserved. When we found her, she weighed just 10 kilos and was so underweight all her bones were showing. Thankfully, she has been successfully rehabilitated by the RSPCA and now weighs 16 kilos. She was found a new, loving home earlier this month.”
As a result of their actions, Emma Comben and Martyn Buckle received sentences that included 120 hours of unpaid work to be completed within 12 months, each ordered to pay £150 in costs, and a ban from keeping any animals for a period of 10 years, which will expire in February 2027. This case underscores the importance of animal welfare and the consequences faced by those who neglect their responsibilities towards their pets.
According to reports from a concerned member of the public, the RSPCA launched an investigation after receiving distressing information about the dog's condition. When inspectors arrived at the property, they discovered Tia in a deplorable state—her body was so emaciated that her bones were prominently visible through her skin. The dog was confined within a small, faeces-encrusted crate, left without adequate food or water for an extended period. The neglect was so severe that her weight had plummeted to just 10 kilograms, a stark contrast to her healthy weight, and she was suffering immensely.
Fortunately, after her rescue, Tia was provided with proper veterinary care and a nutritious diet. Her condition improved significantly, and she quickly gained weight, reaching a healthy 16 kilograms. Her recovery was so successful that she was placed in a loving new home earlier this month, offering her the chance for a fresh start after enduring such cruelty.
During court proceedings, Comben and Buckle admitted to causing unnecessary suffering to Tia. They explained that they had struggled to manage the dog after starting a family, claiming that Tia refused to eat after being confined in the cage. However, they did not seek any professional veterinary assistance or contact animal welfare organizations to address her worsening condition. The investigation revealed that their neglect was a clear violation of the Animal Welfare Act 2006, specifically Section 9, which mandates providing animals with a suitable environment and proper care.
Inspector Ken Snook of the RSPCA expressed his dismay at the case, stating, “The neglect suffered by Tia could have been easily avoided. Sadly, she was cruelly left to suffer in a faeces-encrusted crate without the care she needed and deserved. When we found her, she weighed just 10 kilos and was so underweight all her bones were showing. Thankfully, she has been successfully rehabilitated by the RSPCA and now weighs 16 kilos. She was found a new, loving home earlier this month.”
As a result of their actions, Emma Comben and Martyn Buckle received sentences that included 120 hours of unpaid work to be completed within 12 months, each ordered to pay £150 in costs, and a ban from keeping any animals for a period of 10 years, which will expire in February 2027. This case underscores the importance of animal welfare and the consequences faced by those who neglect their responsibilities towards their pets.