BRADFORD'S JULIE AND JAMIE TAYLOR HORRIFICALLY ABANDON DOGS IN BARKEREND ATTIC

In a disturbing case of animal cruelty that shocked the local community, Julie and Jamie Taylor, both residents of Barkerend, faced justice after they deliberately neglected their pet dogs by confining them in an attic and leaving them to suffer a slow and agonizing death.

Julie Taylor, born on February 2, 1962, who has since passed away in September 2019, and her son Jamie Stuart Taylor, born on March 18, 1980, were found to have kept two dogs—a Rottweiler and a Staffordshire Bull Terrier-type—in deplorable conditions at their home on Hendford Drive, Bradford BD3 0SE. The police discovered the animals in a state of decomposition, with maggots and flies swarming over their emaciated bodies, which had been left to die in the attic of the property.

According to prosecutor Nigel Monaghan, a wooden board had been nailed across the attic entrance to prevent the dogs from descending the stairs, effectively trapping them inside. This barrier also made it extremely difficult for anyone to access or tend to the animals, further exacerbating their suffering. Monaghan described the cruelty as one of the worst cases he had encountered, emphasizing the severity of the neglect.

The RSPCA officer who responded to the scene reported that the smell of rotting flesh grew increasingly strong as he ascended into the attic, which was devoid of any clean air, bedding, food, or water. The conditions inside were described as horrific, with the animals suffering from starvation and dehydration. An examination by a veterinarian confirmed that the dogs had died from prolonged hunger and thirst, and the vet remarked that the appalling conditions and the suffering endured by the animals would have been obvious to any observer.

Both Julie and Jamie Taylor pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to the dogs by failing to provide them with adequate nutrition and proper care. They also admitted to neglecting the animals’ needs by not ensuring they were kept in a suitable environment during the period from September 14 to October 14, 2011. Jamie Taylor, who was visibly distressed and shouted as he was led away from court, also admitted to failing in his duty as the dogs’ owner to provide reasonable care and supervision.

The court heard that the RSPCA had attempted multiple times to contact Jamie Taylor regarding the dogs after being alerted by a concerned member of the public. It was revealed that another dog, which was in reasonable health, was being kept downstairs at the same residence. Jamie Taylor explained that he could not take the dogs outside because they were too skinny, which further highlighted the neglect.

During proceedings, solicitor Ian Hudson explained that Jamie Taylor had owned the dogs for approximately five years. However, as his health deteriorated due to alcohol problems, he was unable to care for them properly. An arrangement had been made with his mother, whereby she would house the animals while he would provide food and exercise. Unfortunately, as his drinking worsened, he failed to visit the dogs regularly, assuming that his mother was feeding them. Both Julie and her son were in poor health, which contributed to their inability to care for the animals properly.

Chairman of the bench, Harry Atkinson, condemned the neglect, stating, “The dogs experienced horrendous suffering before their death. The dogs were prisoners upstairs in the house and they died from prolonged neglect. They had no access to the rest of the house, nor to the outside world. Mr Taylor said he would be embarrassed to take his dogs outside because they were too skinny to be seen out walking.”

As a result of their actions, both Julie and Jamie Taylor were sentenced to four months in jail and were banned for life from keeping any animals. Prosecutor Nigel Monaghan emphasized the gravity of the case, describing it as one of the worst instances of animal cruelty he had encountered.

Following the sentencing, it was noted that Julie Taylor had passed away in September 2019. The current whereabouts of Jamie Taylor remain unknown, leaving questions about his future and the ongoing impact of this tragic case on the community of Barkerend.