MARK COOPER AND JADE NICHOLS FROM SALTBURN-BY-THE-SEA CONVICTED OF ANIMAL ABUSE IN SALTBURN

In a serious case of animal neglect and abuse, Mark Daniel Cooper, born around 1988 and residing at 58 High Street, Lingdale, Saltburn, and Jade Laura Nichols, born circa 1989 of Trout Hall Lane, Skelton-in-Cleveland, Saltburn, have been found guilty of failing to provide proper care for their pets. The conviction stems from a detailed investigation conducted by the RSPCA, which uncovered disturbing neglect involving cats, guinea pigs, and an elderly French bulldog, all living under their care in Saltburn-by-the-Sea.

On September 1, 2023, RSPCA Animal Rescue Officer Shane Lynn visited the couple’s residence at Brookside in Boosbeck, Saltburn, following a report raising concerns about the animals’ welfare. During this visit, Officer Lynn observed the dire conditions in which the animals were kept and documented the extent of their suffering. One of the most heartbreaking sights was that of Paris, a one-eyed French bulldog who was 11 years old, deaf, and blind. Paris was found lying in a bed inside the kitchen, suffering from severe thickening of her ears, a condition known as 'cherry eye,' and redness on her feet caused by constant chewing. Due to the severity of her pain and suffering, the decision was made to humanely euthanize her, a heartbreaking but necessary step to end her distress.

Further inspection revealed two Persian cats, Lady and Abbey, living in a small bathroom that reeked of ammonia. The litter tray was filthy, and the cats appeared underweight and unwell. Lady, a grey cat, was visibly thin, with her spine and ribs easily felt through her fur. Nichols admitted that Lady had recently had two kittens, which unfortunately died at four weeks old because she was not producing milk. Abbey was also underweight, with fur loss, scabs on her skin, and a wound on her shoulder, likely caused by the other cat. The conditions suggested neglect and a lack of proper veterinary care.

In the living room, the officer discovered a glass vivarium housing two guinea pigs, Casper and Autumn. The enclosure was poorly ventilated, with rotting fruit on the floor and a water bottle that had fallen over, leaving the guinea pigs unable to drink. The heat inside the vivarium was excessive, and the smell of decaying fruit was overpowering, indicating neglect and poor living conditions. The animals showed signs of health issues, including fleas, hair loss, and scabs, which had not been treated adequately.

During the investigation, Nichols confirmed that neither the cats nor the dog had been taken to a veterinarian for their health problems. She showed the officer some ear drops, flea spray, and an online order for 'ear mite blaster,' but admitted that the animals had not received proper veterinary attention. Cooper claimed that Paris was registered with the PDSA and that he had steroids for her, prescribed during the COVID pandemic, but she had never been examined by a vet. The medication bottle, later examined by another RSPCA officer, was found to be faded and only half full, indicating it had been used for some time without proper medical oversight.

All the animals were subsequently taken for veterinary treatment. The assessments confirmed that Abbey, Lady, and Paris were suffering from neglect and health issues that had been ignored for years. Paris’s condition was so severe that her remaining eye was badly damaged, and her ear canals were in a similar state. The veterinarian recommended humane euthanasia for Paris, which Nichols consented to, recognizing her suffering. The cats, Abbey and Lady, were found to have active flea infestations, hair loss, and scabs. Abbey also had a 2 cm abscess on her neck, likely caused by scratching from fleas. After receiving appropriate treatment, both cats gained nearly half their body weight, and their fur regrew fully, with their flea allergies resolving.

The couple was interviewed by RSPCA officer Clare Wilson, during which they claimed that someone was regularly treating the animals for fleas and worms. They also stated they had attempted to get the cats seen by local vets, but no appointments were available. However, investigations revealed that the vet practice Nichols mentioned had not been contacted for the animals’ care, and no records of veterinary visits existed since May 2021, when steroids were prescribed for Paris’s ear infection.

By early November, the health of the animals had significantly improved. Abbey and the guinea pigs, Autumn and Casper, had reached a healthy weight and were rehomed through the RSPCA’s channels. Lady was also on the mend, with her fur fully regrown and her flea allergies resolved. Both cats were adopted together from the RSPCA Cat Rehoming Hub, which serves the Tees Valley, County Durham, and North Yorkshire areas. The guinea pigs found a new home at the RSPCA’s Great Ayton Animal Centre, where they were also adopted together.

In sentencing, the court imposed a 12-month community order on Cooper and Nichols, requiring 15 days of rehabilitation and 80 hours of unpaid work. They were also ordered to pay £200 in costs and a victim surcharge of £114. Additionally, a five-year ban on owning animals was imposed, which they can appeal after three years, with the ban set to expire in April or May 2029. This case highlights the importance of animal welfare and the consequences of neglecting those who cannot speak for themselves.