MATTHEW PEARSON'S HORRIFIC ANIMAL CRUELTY IN WEDNESFIELD AND BILSTON

In a deeply disturbing case of animal neglect, Matthew Pearson, a resident of Wednesfield, was found guilty of allowing five out of his parents' six pets to perish from starvation while they were away. Born on March 25, 1983, Pearson, who at the time lived on Okement Drive in Wolverhampton, faced serious charges after neglecting the welfare of multiple animals under his care.

In January 2011, Pearson was entrusted with the responsibility of caring for his parents' animals at a property located on Portway Road in Bilston, while his parents traveled to Cornwall to visit family. Despite receiving a financial gift of £1,515 from his mother specifically intended for feeding the animals, Pearson failed to provide adequate sustenance, leading to tragic consequences.

The RSPCA was called to investigate the scene in March 2011 following a complaint. Inspector Jayne Bashford recounted the horrifying discovery: upon entering the residence, the team was met with a scene that was both shocking and heartbreaking. Among the most distressing sights was Buster, a bearded collie-type cross-breed dog, found curled up dead in his basket amidst a mess of faeces in the kitchen. The conditions of the house were deplorable, with urine and faeces covering the floors and surfaces.

Further inspection revealed the remains of two tortoiseshell cats, which had been dismembered, as well as a dead hamster and rat. The second dog, Beethoven, was found to be dangerously emaciated, weighing only 8 kilograms—significantly less than the typical 13 kilograms for his breed. Remarkably, Beethoven had survived by scavenging on the remains of the cats, which had starved to death. Tests confirmed that the animals had died from cardio-respiratory failure caused by chronic malnutrition and emaciation.

During court proceedings, Pearson’s lawyer explained that his client had felt overwhelmed and unable to cope with the animals’ deteriorating health, which contributed to his neglect. The house was in a deplorable state, with the animals' suffering evident in the filth and neglect surrounding them.

Inspector Bashford expressed her profound shock at the scene: “I will never, ever forget the scene upon entering this property. All individuals involved, including experienced police officers, were visibly shocked by the conditions and horrific sight of multiple dead animals. Particularly disturbing to me were the scratch marks on the rear of the kitchen door where Buster had desperately tried to escape before he was found dead in his bed. To die of starvation is an appalling, painful way for any animal to die, and their suffering was so needless and preventable if only help had been sought.”

Fortunately, Beethoven was rescued and recovered under the care of the RSPCA, eventually being rehomed. Pearson was sentenced to 20 weeks in jail, ordered to pay £1,000 in costs, and was banned from keeping pets for ten years, a ban that expired in September 2021. This case highlights the tragic consequences of neglect and the importance of animal welfare enforcement in Wolverhampton and Wednesfield.