IAN AND REBECCA ROBINSON FROM LONGHILL SENTENCED FOR HORRIFIC ANIMAL CRUELTY IN HULL

Ian Michael Robinson, born around 1972, and his wife Rebecca Diana Robinson, born approximately in 1981, both residents of 412 Shannon Road in Hull HU8 9SA, faced severe legal consequences after their involvement in a shocking case of animal neglect that culminated in the death of their elderly dog. The couple was found guilty of multiple animal welfare offences, leading to their indefinite ban from owning animals and a series of court-imposed penalties.

The case drew significant attention due to the extreme conditions in which their dog, Wilf—a Rottweiler cross—was found. An RSPCA inspector was dispatched to their home in Longhill, Hull, where she discovered Wilf lying motionless on a sheet on the floor. Initially, the inspector believed the dog was dead, but upon closer inspection, she observed his chest rising and falling, confirming he was still alive. Despite this, Wilf showed no signs of movement and was visibly in pain, crying out when lifted into the inspector’s van.

Wilf had been owned by the Robinsons since he was a puppy, but over time, his health deteriorated drastically. The inspector, Jilly Dickinson, described Wilf as being in the worst condition she had encountered in her career. She stated, “Wilf was in very poor condition and was the thinnest living dog I have seen in my career. All of his ribs, hips, and spines were protruding, his face was sunken, and all of the bones in his rear legs were visible, whereas they should normally be covered with muscle mass.”

When examined at the veterinary clinic, Wilf was unable to stand or sit up and showed minimal reaction to stimuli. The vets assessed his body condition score as a mere one out of nine, indicating severe undernourishment and dehydration. Despite efforts to provide him with food and medical treatment, Wilf was observed crying out in pain and was ultimately deemed to be suffering unnecessarily for an extended period.

Tragically, due to his skeletal state and ongoing pain, the veterinary team made the humane decision to euthanise Wilf. The vets confirmed that he had been suffering for months, with Rebecca Robinson admitting that Wilf’s health had been declining for the past seven months. She revealed that he had difficulty walking since July and had been unable to stand unaided since September, approximately six weeks before the dog was rescued by the RSPCA.

The court heard that the Robinsons had failed to provide Wilf with a proper diet or seek veterinary assistance during his decline. Despite his drastic weight loss and collapse, they did not pursue treatment or care, neglecting his worsening condition. The magistrates expressed their outrage, stating, “We have seen many photos of animals neglected over our years on the bench. We have to say that these are some of the worst we’ve ever seen. This case easily passes the custody threshold. Frankly, it is an appalling case of neglect.”

Sentencing included a 12-week imprisonment suspended for 12 months for both Ian and Rebecca Robinson. Ian Robinson received a four-month curfew order, while Rebecca was ordered to complete 15 days of Rehabilitation Activity Requirement. Additionally, both were ordered to pay costs of £300 and a victim surcharge of £95. The court also imposed an indefinite ban on owning animals for the couple, although they retain the right to appeal after ten years.

This case highlights the severity of animal cruelty and neglect, with the Robinsons’ actions being condemned as among the worst seen by the court in recent years. The tragic loss of Wilf serves as a stark reminder of the importance of responsible pet ownership and the legal consequences of neglecting vulnerable animals.