EUGENE STANLEY CROOKS FROM HEMLINGTON FACES JUSTICE OVER CRUELTY TO ELDERLY DOG

Eugene Stanley Crooks, a resident of Elmstone Gardens in Hemlington, Middlesbrough, has been held accountable for the severe neglect and suffering inflicted upon his elderly dog, Barney. Born in 1945, Crooks’s failure to care for his 16-year-old pet has resulted in a heartbreaking case of animal cruelty that drew the attention of the RSPCA and the local magistrates.

According to reports, Crooks left Barney in a deplorable state, neglecting his basic needs over an extended period. The dog was found to be emaciated, flea-infested, and suffering from rotten teeth, all signs of prolonged neglect and poor health management. The RSPCA officers, upon visiting Crooks’s home on November 13, 2017, were met with a strong smell of urine and an odor indicative of infection, revealing the dire conditions in which Barney had been living.

During questioning, Crooks admitted to feeding Barney only Weetabix in the mornings and a small tray of dog food at night, a diet grossly inadequate for a dog of his age and condition. The prosecution, led by John Ellwood, outlined that Barney’s suffering spanned from August to November 2017, with the neglect culminating in a visit that exposed the full extent of his misery.

The veterinary examination after Barney was taken into care revealed severe dental disease, which caused him significant pain, necessitating the removal of several teeth. Additionally, the dog was suffering from chronic arthritis and an untreated skin condition, likely caused by a persistent flea infestation, as fleas were visibly present on his body. The dog was also found to be anaemic, suffering from blood loss that further compromised his health.

Tragically, Barney’s condition deteriorated rapidly after rescue, with his kidneys failing shortly thereafter, leading to his euthanasia by a veterinarian. The court heard that the suffering inflicted upon Barney was both extreme and prolonged, highlighting the severity of Crooks’s neglect.

Before sentencing, the chair of the magistrates’ bench, Carole Freeman-Dunn, expressed her disappointment, stating, “We are dealing with a faithful friend you had for many years. In his later years, you let him down.”

As a result of his actions, Crooks was ordered to pay a fine of £300 and was banned from keeping animals, excluding cats, for a minimum of ten years. This case underscores the importance of animal welfare and the consequences of neglecting those who cannot speak for themselves.