BOLTON MAN JAILED FOR NEGLECTING DOG TO DEATH
A man named Ryan Thomas Crook, aged 30, residing on Woodbridge Drive in Tonge Moor, has been sentenced after his dog was discovered collapsed and emaciated inside his home.Crook pleaded guilty to a charge of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal.
The incident was investigated by the RSPCA, who performed a welfare check on May 23, 2024.
Animal Rescue Officer Connie Brown reported that she was shown into Crook's home, where she found Karma, a two-year-old female mastiff crossbreed, in a severely malnourished state, unable to lift her head and passing blood.
The environment was grim, with several empty food bowls surrounded by faeces and urine, and the dog lying on a concrete floor with pressure sores and in poor physical condition.
Crook admitted to not realizing how bad Karma's condition was and expressed shame over the situation.
He explained that Karma had only been eating human leftovers due to financial hardship after losing his job.
Karma was rushed to RSPCA Greater Manchester Animal Hospital, where she was found to be dangerously underweight with a body condition score of just one out of nine and tested positive for parvovirus— a severe and often fatal disease.
Despite medical intervention, Karma was humanely put to sleep as she was in a suffering state.
Crook was handed an eight-month custodial sentence, suspended for one year, and banned from owning any animals for 10 years.
He also received an 18-month community order, including rehabilitative and mental health treatment components, and was ordered to pay costs of £400.
Inspector Ben Cottle Shaw, who led the investigation, stated that it was an emotionally devastating case and urged pet owners struggling with costs to seek help from charities such as the RSPCA.
