MICHELLE BALDWIN AND SONS SHAUN AND SHANE BALDWIN FROM RUNCORN SENTENCED FOR HORRIFIC ANIMAL ABUSE

In a disturbing case of animal cruelty, Michelle Baldwin, also known as Michelle Robinson, along with her two sons, Shaun Baldwin and Shane Baldwin, all residents of Runcorn, faced justice for their involvement in the neglect and suffering of two Staffie dogs. The incident, which drew significant attention from animal welfare authorities, revealed the shocking conditions in which the dogs were kept and the tragic consequences of neglect.

Michelle Baldwin, born on August 14, 1976, and her sons, Shaun Baldwin, born on May 26, 1996, of Masseyfield Road, Runcorn WA7 6AB, and Shane Andrew Baldwin, born on November 17, 1997, of Linkway, Runcorn WA7 5EJ, were found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to the animals and failing to provide a suitable environment. The RSPCA described the conditions as 'atrocious,' with the two dogs, named Bruno and Roxy, found in a state of extreme emaciation. Their ribs were clearly visible, and they were living amidst filth and neglect.

Tragically, Bruno had been starved to the point of severe illness and was so weak that veterinary intervention was unable to save him. Despite the efforts of the RSPCA to treat him, Bruno was ultimately euthanized on health grounds. Roxy, on the other hand, was rescued, rehabilitated, and subsequently rehomed to a caring family. The discovery of the dogs was made by police officers during a search at the Masseyfield Road address on November 17, 2016, which was unrelated to the animal cruelty investigation but led to the inspection.

Inspector Lisa Lupson from the RSPCA attended the property and described the scene: “Both dogs were very thin, particularly Bruno. He was so weak that as soon as I got him to a vet he was put on a drip. He was very lethargic and subdued, and wasn’t responding to us at all. As well as being underfed, the dogs were living in horrific conditions. Upstairs of the house was atrocious, with rubbish absolutely everywhere and dog poo all over the floor. It was in no way the best environment for dogs to live in. The message is clear – if you decide to take animals on then you must be able to meet their needs and provide them with the kind of life they deserve.”

Court documents revealed that Michelle Baldwin had entrusted the care of the dogs to two young adults, neglecting her responsibilities as their owner. The court handed down sentences that reflected the severity of the case: Michelle Baldwin received an eight-week prison sentence, suspended for six months, while her sons, Shaun and Shane Baldwin, were each given a 12-month community order. As part of their punishment, they were ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work. Additionally, all three were required to pay costs of £100 and a victim surcharge of £85 each. A significant outcome of the case was the imposition of a ten-year ban on keeping animals, which will remain in effect until July 2027, preventing them from owning or caring for any animals during that period.