KALI THORNEYCROFT FROM DRYPOOL HORRIBLY NEGLECTS ILL GERMAN SHEPHERD CROSS IN HULL

Kali Thorneycroft, a resident of 78 Egton Street in the Drypool area of Hull, has been found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to his dog by neglecting to seek vital veterinary care. The case highlights a heartbreaking failure to act on behalf of a gravely ill animal, leading to prolonged suffering and ultimately, the dog's death.

Thorneycroft, who also has connections to the Moseley district of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands, admitted to the charges in court. The allegations centered around his neglect of Arize, a black and tan German Shepherd cross, who was suffering from malignant tumors, including one on her neck that had metastasized to her lungs. Despite the severity of her condition, Thorneycroft delayed seeking professional veterinary assistance, which resulted in her enduring unnecessary pain and distress.

The court proceedings revealed that Thorneycroft first took Arize to a PDSA clinic on September 7 and 8, 2021. During the second visit, the veterinarian observed that Arize was unable to stand, was severely underweight with a body condition score of just 2 out of 9, and had a large lump on her neck. The vet advised that euthanasia was the most humane option given her terminal condition. However, Thorneycroft ignored this advice, refusing to consider putting her to sleep, and instead, allowed her to suffer for an additional three weeks.

Further investigations by RSPCA inspector Natalie Hill, who visited Thorneycroft’s home multiple times, painted a grim picture of Arize’s health. On September 30, 2021, Inspector Hill, accompanied by a council environmental officer, found the dog in a deplorable state. She described Arize as extremely underweight, with sunken eyes, a concave head, and mucus emanating from her nose. During the inspection, Thorneycroft claimed that Arize’s condition was improving, a statement that starkly contrasted with her visible suffering.

Recognizing the severity of her condition, the inspector arranged for Arize to be taken to a veterinary clinic in Hull. There, it was confirmed that her weight had decreased by approximately 3.5 kilograms since her initial assessment at the PDSA. The veterinarian concluded that Arize had been suffering from a chronic illness for around two months. Given her deteriorating health and the pain she was experiencing, the veterinarian made the difficult decision to euthanize her. The veterinarian emphasized that a reasonable owner would have sought prompt veterinary treatment and followed professional advice to prevent such suffering.

During the court hearing, Thorneycroft attempted to justify his actions by claiming he had contacted the PDSA months earlier but was unable to secure an appointment due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He also stated that he lacked the financial means for private veterinary care and was holding onto hope that Arize would recover because of the strong bond they shared.

In sentencing, the magistrates noted that there had been no issues with the care of Thorneycroft’s other dogs in the two years following Arize’s death. As a result, they decided that a financial penalty was an appropriate punishment. Thorneycroft was fined £200, ordered to pay £200 in costs, and a victim surcharge of £34. Importantly, he was not banned from owning animals. The case underscores the importance of timely veterinary intervention and responsible pet ownership, especially in cases of severe illness.