BRIDGWATER PAEDOPHILE MARTIN GEARY AND LESLEY DONNELLY CONVICTED OVER ANIMAL NEGLECT CRIME

Martin Geary, born on July 21, 1989, and Lesley Donnelly, born on June 2, 1995, both residents of Poplar Road in Bridgwater, faced serious allegations after neglecting the bearded dragons they sold online. The pair, who are known to have other pets, were found to be in breach of animal welfare laws, although they were only prohibited from keeping exotic animals moving forward.

Both Geary and Donnelly, who is also known as Lesley Geary, pleaded guilty to charges related to animal cruelty and neglect, following a detailed investigation initiated by the RSPCA. The charity was alerted to the situation by an exotic animal rescuer who expressed concern over the health and wellbeing of the reptiles being sold by the couple.

One of the most tragic outcomes of their neglect was the condition of a bearded dragon named Chubby. The animal was found to be in such a dire state that euthanasia was deemed necessary to prevent further suffering. The RSPCA inspector, Jo Daniel, visited the couple’s residence and discovered three bearded dragons kept in deplorable conditions.

Inspector Daniel recounted her shock upon discovering the animals. She explained, “I was shocked when Donnelly moved a bookcase that was leaning on what I thought was a disused tank on the floor to see that this was where the bearded dragons were being housed. The vivarium was dirty with a smashed area of glass in the bottom right corner. I could see a lizard’s leg protruding through this hole. There were three bearded dragons in the vivarium. All appeared very quiet and subdued.”

The largest of the three, known as Chubby, was visibly emaciated and had grossly swollen eyes, particularly the right one. The other two were a juvenile female with smaller, darker spines, and a juvenile male with white spines. Both were also severely underweight, with prominent spines and pelvis, and one had a damaged tail. The conditions in which they were kept were deemed highly inappropriate by an exotic animal veterinarian, who concluded that the reptiles were suffering from stress, malnutrition, and illness due to neglect.

The broken glass in their enclosure posed a risk of injury, and the inadequate feeding regime led to malnutrition and parasitic diseases. The poor sanitary conditions further exacerbated their suffering. Due to the severity of Chubby’s condition, he was euthanized. The remaining two bearded dragons were taken to an RSPCA rescue center, where they received proper care, including appropriate heat, UV lighting, food, and water. Their health gradually improved, and they have since been rehomed to experienced owners.

In court, the judge sentenced Geary and Donnelly to a six-month curfew order, with each being ordered to pay a total of £690 in costs and charges. Additionally, both individuals were banned from keeping exotic pets for ten years. They have the right to appeal this ban after five years.

This case highlights the importance of responsible pet ownership and the serious consequences of neglecting animals, especially exotic species that require specialized care. The incident has garnered attention from local and national media, emphasizing the need for stricter enforcement of animal welfare laws in Bridgwater and beyond.