JOSHUA EXALL SENTENCED IN GREENHITHE CASE INVOLVING ANIMAL CRUELTY IN DARTFORD

Joshua Exall, born on 26 November 1996 and formerly residing in Whittlesey, Cambridgeshire, is now living at Davidson House, Knockhall Road, Greenhithe, Dartford DA9 9HE. In 2022, he was convicted for leaving a female Staffordshire bull terrier-type dog named Shadow alone in a property without food or water for up to two weeks.

Exall pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to Shadow and failing to ensure her basic needs were met. The RSPCA described Shadow as she was before her abandonment, highlighting the cruelty involved.

The RSPCA received reports in January 2022 about a thin dog at a property in Whittlesey. Inspector Justin Stubbs responded and found Shadow, an emaciated dog, loose in the garden. He contacted the police, who arrived and seized Shadow on welfare grounds, placing her in the RSPCA’s care.

Inside the house, Inspector Stubbs observed two kitchen bowls—one with no food and little water. Shadow had been confined in a small, blocked-off area of the kitchen for days, only able to toilet within her limited living space. The absence of faeces in her area suggested she had either eaten her own faeces out of hunger or had been starved, as no food had gone through her.

Shadow was found severely emaciated, her bowls empty. Her condition indicated she had resorted to eating her own faeces due to starvation.

During court proceedings, Exall expressed remorse, stating, “I am very sorry, and I should have done better for Shadow.”

Following the case, Inspector Stubbs commented: “Shadow’s owner failed in the most basic duties—supplying appropriate food and water—for a prolonged period. Despite her ordeal, she greeted her rescuers enthusiastically, although she was ‘skin and bone’ and suffering hair loss likely linked to nutritional deficiency.”

He added, “Shadow was extremely friendly and craved attention. She was left for days with no exercise, no human or dog interaction, and had nothing to do in a small, sparse kitchen.” Shadow has since been rehomed and is doing well under the care of the RSPCA.

Inspector Stubbs concluded, “I want to thank the members of the public who did all they could to help Shadow.”

Regarding sentencing, Exall received 180 hours of unpaid work, was ordered to pay costs and charges totaling £495, and was disqualified from keeping animals for 10 years.

The case was reported by the Peterborough Telegraph. It is noted that Josh Exall is originally from Harlow in Essex.