MARK GALLAGHER FROM LEMINGTON SENTENCED FOR CRUELTY TO DOG TYSON IN NEWCASTLE
| Red Rose Database
Lemington Animal Abuser
Mark Gallagher, born in 1990 and residing on Gladstone Street in Lemington, Newcastle upon Tyne, has been convicted of severe animal neglect and cruelty. The incident involved his pet dog, Tyson, a crossbreed, who was found in a dire state after being confined in a filthy, neglected room with minimal food and no water. The circumstances of Tyson’s suffering drew the attention of the RSPCA, leading to a rescue that likely saved his life.
According to reports, Tyson was on the brink of death when the RSPCA intervened. The room where he was kept was in appalling condition, covered in faeces and urine, with only an old, dilapidated sofa without cushions serving as furniture. The inspectors were initially called to the property after Tyson was seen looking out of an upstairs window. When they arrived, no one was present at the address, prompting an inspector to place sticky tape on the door as a marker for the following day.
When Inspector Terri-Ann Fannon returned the next day, she observed that the tape remained intact, indicating that no one had entered the premises since her previous visit. Tyson was visible through the upstairs window, and his condition was described as 'extremely poor.' He appeared unable to make his way downstairs to the front door, highlighting his weakened state. Fannon then called the police for assistance, who forcibly entered the property and discovered Tyson in a small, confined room. The room was in a deplorable state, with no water available and only a small amount of food present.
Following his rescue, Tyson was taken to a veterinary clinic where he was given water and food. He drank approximately 1.2 liters of water within three minutes and ate his meal in seconds. The vet examination revealed that Tyson was severely emaciated, weighing just 20.6 kilograms, with most of his ribs visible through his fur. The vet also assigned him the lowest possible body condition score of 1 out of 9, confirming his critical state was solely due to starvation, with no underlying medical issues identified. Additionally, Tyson’s claws were overgrown, a sign of neglect and lack of exercise.
During police interviews, Gallagher admitted that Tyson had deteriorated from a stocky build to a very thin appearance, likening him to a 'whippet.' He acknowledged that he had failed to take the dog to the vet and explained that his partner had left him months earlier. Gallagher stated he now had a new girlfriend and admitted that he never took Tyson out for walks, leaving him behind at home while he spent time at his new partner’s residence.
In court, Gallagher pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to Tyson by neglecting his health and failing to investigate the cause of his weight loss. He also admitted to breaching his duty to provide a hygienic environment for the animal. Judge Robert Adams described the case as particularly disturbing, emphasizing that Tyson’s life was in imminent danger. The judge stated, 'In a couple of days the dog would have died. The dog was effectively starving to death. It is thought it would not have survived much longer.'
He further condemned the state of the property and the condition of the dog, noting that the pictures of Tyson’s condition and the premises were 'dreadful' and would shock any animal lover. The judge highlighted that Tyson’s weight, just over 20 kilograms, was as low as it could be without the dog being dead, underscoring the severity of the neglect.
Gallagher’s defense, represented by Brian Mark, argued that his client had a history of mental health issues, claiming that his offending was directly related to his mental health struggles. The court was informed that Tyson, along with a fish and a parrot found at the property, had been signed over to the RSPCA, and the dog has since been rehomed.
As part of the sentencing, Gallagher received an eight-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, along with requirements for rehabilitation. He was also ordered to pay £500 in costs and was banned from owning any animals for five years, a ban that will expire in January 2028.
According to reports, Tyson was on the brink of death when the RSPCA intervened. The room where he was kept was in appalling condition, covered in faeces and urine, with only an old, dilapidated sofa without cushions serving as furniture. The inspectors were initially called to the property after Tyson was seen looking out of an upstairs window. When they arrived, no one was present at the address, prompting an inspector to place sticky tape on the door as a marker for the following day.
When Inspector Terri-Ann Fannon returned the next day, she observed that the tape remained intact, indicating that no one had entered the premises since her previous visit. Tyson was visible through the upstairs window, and his condition was described as 'extremely poor.' He appeared unable to make his way downstairs to the front door, highlighting his weakened state. Fannon then called the police for assistance, who forcibly entered the property and discovered Tyson in a small, confined room. The room was in a deplorable state, with no water available and only a small amount of food present.
Following his rescue, Tyson was taken to a veterinary clinic where he was given water and food. He drank approximately 1.2 liters of water within three minutes and ate his meal in seconds. The vet examination revealed that Tyson was severely emaciated, weighing just 20.6 kilograms, with most of his ribs visible through his fur. The vet also assigned him the lowest possible body condition score of 1 out of 9, confirming his critical state was solely due to starvation, with no underlying medical issues identified. Additionally, Tyson’s claws were overgrown, a sign of neglect and lack of exercise.
During police interviews, Gallagher admitted that Tyson had deteriorated from a stocky build to a very thin appearance, likening him to a 'whippet.' He acknowledged that he had failed to take the dog to the vet and explained that his partner had left him months earlier. Gallagher stated he now had a new girlfriend and admitted that he never took Tyson out for walks, leaving him behind at home while he spent time at his new partner’s residence.
In court, Gallagher pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to Tyson by neglecting his health and failing to investigate the cause of his weight loss. He also admitted to breaching his duty to provide a hygienic environment for the animal. Judge Robert Adams described the case as particularly disturbing, emphasizing that Tyson’s life was in imminent danger. The judge stated, 'In a couple of days the dog would have died. The dog was effectively starving to death. It is thought it would not have survived much longer.'
He further condemned the state of the property and the condition of the dog, noting that the pictures of Tyson’s condition and the premises were 'dreadful' and would shock any animal lover. The judge highlighted that Tyson’s weight, just over 20 kilograms, was as low as it could be without the dog being dead, underscoring the severity of the neglect.
Gallagher’s defense, represented by Brian Mark, argued that his client had a history of mental health issues, claiming that his offending was directly related to his mental health struggles. The court was informed that Tyson, along with a fish and a parrot found at the property, had been signed over to the RSPCA, and the dog has since been rehomed.
As part of the sentencing, Gallagher received an eight-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, along with requirements for rehabilitation. He was also ordered to pay £500 in costs and was banned from owning any animals for five years, a ban that will expire in January 2028.