NATHAN THOMAS PYLE AND SHANNON ADAM SENTENCED FOR HORRIFIC ANIMAL CRUELTY IN DARLINGTON AND MIDDLESBROUGH

A distressing case of animal cruelty involving a young couple from the North East has culminated in their sentencing after neglecting their one-year-old Malinois dog, Midnight. Nathan Thomas Pyle, aged 23, residing on Eglinton Road in Middlesbrough, and Shannon Adam, aged 21, from Thomas Court in Darlington, faced justice for causing unnecessary suffering to their pet.

The RSPCA launched an investigation into the couple’s treatment of Midnight in September 2023, following reports that the dog was suffering from severe malnutrition and was kept in deplorable conditions within their garden. Despite multiple attempts by RSPCA officers to inspect the animal, access was repeatedly denied, or the officers found no one at home during their visits. It was only in October 2023 that an inspector was able to locate Midnight, who was found to be in a reasonably decent state of health but was confined within a small, dark, and bedding-less kennel. The owner admitted that the enclosure was inadequate and expressed intentions to acquire a larger, more suitable kennel for the dog.

However, by December, a further visit by an animal rescue officer revealed a stark deterioration in the dog's living conditions. The kennel was in a state of disrepair—filthy, wet, not weatherproof, and contaminated with faeces and stale food. The floors were frozen, indicating exposure to harsh weather conditions. Later that day, Shannon Adam informed the officer that Midnight had died and was found discarded in a bin bag outside the property. The remains of the dog were shockingly emaciated, with bones clearly visible through her skin, and she had open sores and dark fluid leaking from her back end. A veterinary examination confirmed that the cause of death was due to starvation and exposure, with no underlying disease contributing to her demise.

The veterinary report explicitly stated that by neglecting to provide adequate care and allowing Midnight to die in such a manner, the couple had caused her unnecessary suffering, in violation of the Animal Welfare Act 2006. Both Nathan Pyle and Shannon Adam pleaded guilty to two charges related to this case. During proceedings, Nathan expressed remorse and cited his immaturity as a factor, while Shannon claimed that her partner was primarily responsible for the dog's care.

Shannon Adam was sentenced on January 28, 2025, at Teesside Magistrates’ Court. Her punishment included 18 weeks in custody, suspended for 24 months, along with 150 hours of unpaid work, 25 days of rehabilitation activity requirements, a fine of £720 in costs, and a victim surcharge of £154. Nathan Pyle received a similar sentence on April 9, 2025, at Peterlee Magistrates’ Court, which also included 150 hours of unpaid work, 20 days of rehabilitation activity, a fine of £1,080 in costs, and a victim surcharge of £154.

In response to the case, an RSPCA spokesperson described it as a tragic example of unnecessary animal suffering. They emphasized that neglecting a pet’s well-being is unacceptable and highlighted the profound suffering Midnight endured during her final days. The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of responsible pet ownership and the consequences of neglecting animal welfare.