PEARL BARKER OF DARLINGTON FACES ANIMAL OWNERSHIP BAN AFTER NEGLECT AND BREACHES

Pearl Barker, a resident of Ardmore Drive in Darlington, has been at the center of a series of legal issues related to animal neglect and violations of her disqualification order. Her troubles began in 2008 when authorities intervened after discovering her German Shepherd dog was suffering from severe neglect. The RSPCA, upon inspecting her property, found the dog to be significantly underweight, weighing approximately 10 kilograms less than the typical weight for its breed. The dog was also suffering from a severe flea infestation that had gone untreated, highlighting the extent of Barker’s neglect.

Following this incident, the RSPCA issued a disqualification order to prevent Barker from keeping any animals. This order was intended to last until November 2018, effectively barring her from owning or caring for animals during that period. Despite this, subsequent inspections in 2012 and 2015 revealed that Barker continued to keep animals on her property, including rabbits, cats, and goldfish. These inspections demonstrated a clear breach of the disqualification order, raising concerns about her compliance and the welfare of the animals involved.

In 2016, Barker sought to challenge her disqualification, appealing to have the ban overturned. During her court appearance, she expressed remorse and claimed that she missed the companionship of animals, asserting that she had made efforts to turn her life around. She told the magistrates that she hoped they would see her progress and allow her to regain custody of animals.

However, the RSPCA strongly opposed her application, emphasizing that her disqualification should remain in place to protect animals from potential neglect. Prosecutor Kevin Campbell stated, “This application is premature. The law is here to protect the animals and this case is not about her, it’s about the animals – we’re looking out for them.”

Magistrate Ruth Dent, presiding over the case, acknowledged Barker’s efforts to change but concluded that her application to lift the ban was premature. She emphasized the importance of maintaining the disqualification to ensure the animals’ safety and welfare. Barker was informed that she must continue to abide by the ban until at least November 2017, after which she could reapply to own animals. This decision underscores the ongoing concern for animal welfare and the importance of strict enforcement of such orders in Darlington and beyond.