PAUL HANCEL'S HORRIFIC CRUELTY IN SOUTH LONDON: DOG'S SUFFERING LEADS TO 10-YEAR BAN

Paul Hancel, a resident of South London, specifically from Mitcham Road in Thornton Heath within the London Borough of Croydon, was convicted in 2023 for neglecting his young bulldog puppy, Winter. The case drew significant attention due to the severe suffering endured by the animal, which was left untreated despite evident signs of distress and poor health.

Winter, a puppy estimated to be around three to four months old, was brought to the notice of the RSPCA after Hancel finally took her to a veterinarian on Friday, February 17, 2023. The dog was found to be in a dire state: extremely underweight, with a body condition that indicated prolonged neglect, and suffering from a severe skin condition that caused crusting, bleeding, and discomfort across her face and body.

Veterinary professionals prescribed antibiotics and pain relief to alleviate her suffering, with instructions for Hancel to return for a follow-up in ten days if her condition did not improve, or immediately if her health worsened. Tragically, despite these measures, Winter’s condition deteriorated rapidly. She was brought back to the vet on the following Monday, visibly worse, having not eaten since Saturday evening and not moving since Sunday night. Her weight had dropped by approximately one kilogram over the weekend, prompting the vet to recommend that she be euthanized to prevent further suffering.

During police interviews, Hancel admitted that he had been aware of Winter’s declining health for about a week prior to the vet visit. He explained that his financial difficulties, caused by a broken boiler in December and a malfunctioning car in February, had prevented him from seeking proper veterinary care. Instead, he attempted to treat Winter’s ailments with ointments and shampoos ordered online, which proved ineffective.

Prosecutor Lauren Bond emphasized that veterinary assessments confirmed Winter’s neglect. She stated, “What the vet concluded is that in their professional assessment Winter’s need for food and medical attention had been neglected.” Bond further condemned the neglect, saying, “Neglect, whether voluntary or passive, allowed Winter to suffer over the extent of her short life.”

When magistrates questioned Hancel about whether he had considered seeking help from the RSPCA, he admitted that it had not occurred to him, saying, “That didn’t come into my mind to be honest.”

In sentencing, a magistrate expressed profound disappointment and horror at the case, remarking, “Quite frankly the photographs I’ve seen were horrific. This is one of the most difficult incidents we’ve seen in terms of the suffering of this animal. We believe there were enough opportunities for you to have phoned somebody, a friend, the RSPCA, to ask for the animal to be taken off you.”

Following the conviction, RSPCA inspector Harriet Dalliday described the case as shocking. She stated, “The dog’s skin condition was absolutely dreadful and it looked as if her body had been mummified. It was a shocking case to deal with considering how young the dog was and that she was allowed to get into that state of neglect in four months.”

The court sentenced Hancel to an 18-month community order, which includes 210 hours of unpaid work. He was also ordered to contribute £300 towards costs. Additionally, he was disqualified from owning any animals for a period of ten years, a ban that will expire in June 2033.