FERNDOWN MAN NICK HAWKES CONVICTED FOR CRUELTY TO ELDERLY DOG GILLY

Nicholas Paul Hawkes, a resident of Medway Road in Ferndown, Dorset, born on September 16, 1975, was found guilty of neglecting the health and well-being of his elderly pet dog, Gilly. The case drew significant attention after concerns were raised about the treatment of the 12-year-old Shih Tzu, who suffered from severe health issues that went unaddressed by her owner.

It was a routine visit to a local dog groomer that ultimately uncovered the extent of Gilly’s suffering. The groomer, noticing that the dog appeared to be losing weight and was suffering from significant matting of her fur, became concerned. During the grooming session, the groomer observed that Gilly’s eyes were heavily crusted with a black, crusty substance, resembling pirate patches, which obscured her eyeballs entirely. The groomer carefully removed the crusting and was shocked to find that both of Gilly’s eyes had ulcerated, with one eye requiring surgical removal and the other remaining blind.

Recognizing the severity of the situation, the groomer refused to return Gilly to her owner and promptly contacted the RSPCA. Inspector Patrick Bailey responded swiftly, taking Gilly into his care. During examination, it was revealed that Gilly was extremely underweight, with her bones prominently visible beneath her skin. The veterinarian diagnosed her with untreated diabetes, a condition that had caused her to lose her body condition and her sight. The neglect was evident, and the veterinarian confirmed that the lack of veterinary treatment had led to her painful eye ulcers and the loss of her vision.

Further investigation into the owner’s actions revealed that Hawkes had expressed a preference for attempting “home remedies” rather than seeking professional veterinary care. According to Inspector Bailey, Hawkes had suggested bathing Gilly’s eyes in saline solution and applying apple cider vinegar to her neck and drinking water, instead of taking her to a vet. When questioned, Hawkes claimed he did not attempt to trim the matted fur around Gilly’s eyes out of fear of injuring her, which was why he relied on the groomer. He also denied that Gilly was underweight or losing weight, despite clear evidence to the contrary.

Gilly’s condition improved significantly after receiving proper veterinary treatment. Inspector Bailey, who grew attached to the dog during her recovery, eventually adopted her. Today, Gilly enjoys her daily walks and moves confidently, a stark contrast to her previous suffering.

Hawkes was sentenced to 100 hours of unpaid work, ten days of rehabilitation, and ordered to pay £500 in costs. Additionally, he was banned from keeping animals for five years, a ban that expired in August 2022. The case highlights the importance of responsible pet ownership and the dangers of neglecting veterinary care for vulnerable animals.