NICKY SAGE FROM CLEETHORPES SENTENCED FOR STARVING GERMAN SHEPHERD TO DEATH IN FILTHY FLAT

Nicky Thomas Sage, born on February 15, 2001, and residing at 167 Daubney Street, Sidney Sussex, Cleethorpes DN35 7NT, has been convicted of a tragic case of animal cruelty involving a young German Shepherd named Zeus. The incident, which drew significant attention from animal welfare authorities, revealed the heartbreaking neglect that led to the dog's death by starvation in a squalid living environment.

According to court records, Sage, who recently became a father to twin daughters, pleaded guilty to charges of causing unnecessary suffering to Zeus. The charges detailed his failure to investigate or address the deteriorating health and weight loss of the dog, which was found in a state of extreme emaciation. The court heard that Sage neglected to meet Zeus’s basic welfare needs, including providing a suitable environment, adequate care, proper supervision, and maintaining the dog in a healthy body condition.

The discovery of Zeus’s body was made on June 30, 2023, when RSPCA Inspector Laura Barber visited the property. She described the scene as shocking and disturbing. The property was found to be filthy and cluttered, with household waste piled high throughout the living space. The inspector noted that the bedroom contained a brown-stained mattress, and sofa cushions had been placed on top of the rubbish on the floor, surrounded by debris and household refuse.

As Inspector Barber looked beneath the bed, she encountered a distressing sight. She described the remains of Zeus, a black and tan shepherd-type dog, lying on his right side. The inspector observed a loose pink collar around the dog’s neck, which suggested that the collar had been fitted when the dog was still in good condition but had become loose over time as Zeus lost weight. Despite the darkness of the room, the inspector immediately recognized that Zeus was in an extremely emaciated state.

The body was subsequently removed and examined by a veterinarian. The vet was informed that Sage had claimed Zeus was not suffering from any illness but had not been eating normally for approximately three weeks. It was also revealed that Sage had not sought veterinary advice or treatment for Zeus during this period, citing the dog’s increasing aggression as the reason for neglecting medical care.

The veterinarian’s report confirmed that Zeus had experienced severe suffering due to starvation. The vet explained that it was difficult to determine the exact duration of the starvation but estimated it to be several weeks. The report detailed the physical and mental toll on Zeus, noting that death by starvation is a prolonged process. It deprives the body of essential calories needed for organ function, leading to a gradual decline that results in multiple organ failure.

The veterinarian described how Zeus would have endured intense hunger and thirst, along with feelings of desperation and distress as he searched for food and water within the confined, locked environment. The physical deterioration involved loss of body fat, muscle atrophy, and ultimately, organ failure. The report emphasized that Zeus likely experienced weakness, dizziness, and possibly pain during this suffering, highlighting the prolonged and distressing nature of his death.

In the veterinarian’s words, this case was particularly severe, and they expressed sadness at witnessing such a tragic end. They stated, “I have been unfortunate to be presented with emaciated animals in the past, but I have never seen a deceased dog as severely emaciated as this so far in my career and it saddens me to realize how this animal must have suffered a slow and distressing death.” The veterinarian concluded that Sage, or the person responsible, had allowed Zeus to suffer unnecessarily by neglecting his nutritional needs, failing to provide a suitable living environment, and not seeking veterinary assistance for at least three weeks.

Following the case, Inspector Barber commented on the heartbreaking nature of the incident. She said, “This should never happen to any animal and it’s heart-breaking that Zeus spent his last hours surrounded by rubbish laying under a bed. If Zeus was losing weight then this should have been addressed and veterinary help should have been sought. We know times are challenging for people, but they should always reach out for help from either families and friends, charities or vets – they should not allow an animal to suffer in the way that Zeus did.”

During the court proceedings, Sage represented himself and explained that he was struggling with mental health issues at the time of the incident. The court sentenced him to an 18-week prison term, which was suspended for 12 months. Additionally, Sage was ordered to complete 120 hours of unpaid work, attend five Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days, and pay costs amounting to £1,536. Furthermore, he was banned from keeping any animals for ten years, a restriction that will remain in effect until August 2034.