PAUL RUSH'S BRUTAL ANIMAL ABUSE IN NORTH SHIELDS LEADS TO JAIL SENTENCE

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of North Shields, Paul David Rush, a career criminal born on January 15, 1979, was convicted of heinous animal cruelty that left his pet dog in a critical state. Rush, who has previously resided on Wooler Avenue and later on Railway Terrace in North Shields, was involved in a vicious attack on his crossbreed dog, Scoobie, during a house party. The incident resulted in severe injuries that nearly cost the dog his life.

On the early hours of September 2, 2014, police were called to Rush’s residence after neighbors reported hearing a woman scream. When officers arrived at the North Shields home, they discovered Scoobie lying in the kitchen, unconscious and covered in his own feces. The dog was unable to stand and appeared to be suffering from extensive injuries. Despite Rush’s attempts to deny any wrongdoing and his efforts to make the dog stand, the severity of Scoobie’s condition was evident.

Subsequently, the RSPCA was contacted and took custody of the injured animal. A detailed veterinary examination, including a CT scan, revealed that Scoobie had sustained a fracture at the top of his spine, which could have easily resulted in paralysis or suffocation. Additionally, the dog had a broken right cheekbone and multiple fractured ribs. The injuries indicated a brutal assault, with the dog left in a state of near death.

Fortunately, Scoobie responded well to medical treatment. He underwent surgery and, against the odds, made a remarkable recovery. The only lasting effect was a slightly unsteady gait, which was a testament to his resilience. The RSPCA inspector Trevor Walker expressed relief that Rush had been banned from keeping animals following the incident. He described the case as one of the worst he had encountered, emphasizing the substantial and repeated trauma inflicted upon the dog.

Rush pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to an animal. His sentencing saw him jailed for 18 weeks and permanently banned from owning or caring for any animals. Inspector Walker commented, “I feel the sentence fits the crime. It’s unbelievable he survived, but he did, and he’s now been rehomed.”

In addition to this case, Rush’s criminal history includes an eight-week jail sentence in 2019 for assaulting two shop workers. At that time, he was living in Whitley Bay but has since returned to North Shields. By 2021, Rush faced further legal proceedings for shoplifting, with a total of 116 criminal convictions recorded. His address at that time was listed as Stanley Street West, North Shields, highlighting his ongoing issues with the law.