SIMON LUCAS FROM CULLOMPTON FACES SUSPENDED PRISON SENTENCE AFTER ABANDONING EMACIATED DOG IN PAIGNTON

Simon Lucas, a man born around 1985 and currently residing on St Andrews Road in Cullompton, has been convicted of a serious case of animal neglect that drew widespread concern and legal action. Lucas, who also has connections to Paignton in Torbay and Wellington in Somerset, was found guilty of abandoning a young female crossbreed dog named Nova, who was discovered in a deplorable state after being left in a crate without access to food or water.

The incident came to light when a vigilant member of the public contacted the RSPCA’s emergency helpline, raising alarms about a dog being left unattended for extended periods at Lucas’s former residence on Sands Road, Paignton. Witnesses reported that Lucas had recently moved out, seen removing possessions from the property, which raised suspicions about the welfare of the dog left behind.

On March 5, 2024, an RSPCA officer, accompanied by police, entered the flat after confirming the reports. Inside, they found Nova confined within a crate, in a state of severe neglect. The dog was in an emaciated condition, with a body condition score of just 0.5 out of nine—where five indicates an ideal weight—indicating extreme malnutrition and suffering from cachexia, a metabolic syndrome characterized by significant muscle and fat loss. The dog was also suffering from severe dehydration.

Nova was immediately transported to a veterinary clinic in Torquay, and subsequently transferred to an animal hospital for intensive treatment. She received intravenous fluids and other supportive care to address her critical condition. Veterinarians confirmed that Nova’s suffering had likely persisted over several weeks, if not months, due to her extremely thin frame and the extent of her malnutrition. The vet emphasized that any responsible owner would have recognized her deteriorating health and sought prompt veterinary attention, which Lucas failed to do.

During the court proceedings, it was revealed that Lucas had prioritized his new romantic relationship over caring for Nova. The court was told that he believed someone else was looking after her, which contributed to his neglectful behavior. Despite her dire condition, Nova has since made a remarkable recovery, regaining weight and muscle tone. Lucas agreed to relinquish her care to the RSPCA, and she has now been rehomed to a loving new owner.

Following the sentencing, RSPCA Inspector Jim Farr expressed his concerns, stating, “This dog was starving, and I dread to think what might have happened had she been left any longer. Lucas had previously been advised about the dangers of leaving his dog unattended. Fortunately, Nova has recovered well and has been adopted by a staff member at the veterinary practice where she was treated.”

Lucas was sentenced to a 16-week prison term, which was suspended for 12 months. He was also ordered to pay costs amounting to £2,179.68 and received a ban from keeping animals for a period of 20 years. The court’s decision underscores the seriousness of neglecting a vulnerable animal and highlights the importance of responsible pet ownership in the region of Devon and beyond.