PETER PERCY FROM NORTH SHIELDS FACES CRIMINAL CHARGES OVER ANIMAL ABUSE IN NORTH SHIELDS

Peter Percy, born on December 12, 1993, and residing on Morwick Road in North Shields, has been convicted of serious animal welfare violations following disturbing discoveries made at his residence. Percy, originally from the Arthurs Hill area of Newcastle upon Tyne, was found to be keeping multiple animals in deplorable conditions, with evidence pointing to neglect and failure to provide proper veterinary care.

Authorities became aware of the situation after Northumbria Police contacted the RSPCA regarding welfare concerns at Percy’s property on Morwick Road, North Shields. Inspector Kirsty Keogh was dispatched to investigate the allegations on December 9, 2023. Her detailed report describes a scene of extreme filth and neglect, with a strong smell of feces and urine permeating the home. She noted that the floor was covered with a layer of trodden-in feces, making it hazardous and unclean.

Inspector Keogh recounted that Percy had to exert significant force to open the door due to the accumulation of rubbish and debris behind it, which posed a safety risk. Upon entering the premises, she observed that the upstairs area was equally filthy, with bare floorboards and a pervasive stench of waste. The floor was littered with discarded items such as old bags, a broken scooter, a toaster, empty cans, and bottles, all amidst hazards that made walking dangerous. The kitchen was in a similarly appalling state, with the floor sticking to her boots and benches piled high with rubbish.

During her inspection, Inspector Keogh identified several animals living in the squalid environment. Among them was a Shar Pei dog named Gypsy, who appeared to have red, sore eyes, along with her four puppies, estimated to be around 14 weeks old. One of the puppies had a large, hot lump on her ear, indicating possible infection or injury. Another puppy had a visible lump on his chin, and a third exhibited sore, irritated ears. Percy admitted ownership of these animals and acknowledged that they had not been seen by a veterinarian recently. He consented to the animals being taken for veterinary assessment.

Further inspection revealed additional animals, including three pigeons, two budgerigars, and a Kakariki bird. These birds were kept inside the sitting room, confined within dog crates placed inside a cupboard. Inspector Keogh described the environment as dark, unclean, and lacking natural light, with no food or seed available for the birds. The conditions were so poor that the birds appeared to have been neglected for some time.

Following the inspection, the animals were removed from the property and transported to a veterinary clinic for examination and treatment. They were subsequently placed in private boarding facilities to ensure their ongoing care. The veterinary assessment confirmed that Percy had failed to provide necessary veterinary treatment, resulting in unnecessary suffering for the animals. The vet identified specific health issues, including an otohaematoma in one of the male puppies’ ears, which had been present for several days or possibly a week, causing discomfort and itching. The female puppy had a lump under her chin, suspected to be an abscess, and the mother dog was diagnosed with bilateral entropion, a condition that causes chronic eye irritation and requires surgical correction.

Thanks to prompt veterinary intervention, the animals made a good recovery. Percy subsequently pleaded guilty to four offences under the Animal Welfare Act. In sentencing, he received a 12-month community order with 20 days of rehabilitation, a fine of £120, a victim surcharge of £114, and costs amounting to £250. Additionally, Percy was disqualified from owning dogs, birds, and ferrets for five years. This disqualification can be contested after two years, with the expiry date set for January 2030.