TAMEESHA EWING ABANDONS ANIMALS IN FILTHY ARDWICK HOME - RSPCA RESCUE AND PROSECUTION

Tameesha Ewing, born on November 29, 1998, and residing at 19 Bushmoor Walk in Ardwick, Manchester, was found guilty in 2023 of neglecting her animals in a manner that endangered their well-being. The case drew significant attention after authorities uncovered the deplorable conditions in her residence, which was strewn with rubbish and unfit for any living creature.

On August 4, 2022, the RSPCA responded to urgent concerns raised about the welfare of several animals kept at Ewing’s address. The investigation revealed that she had abandoned two bulldogs, a grey brindle female named Rolex and a dark brindle male named Romeo, along with a tortoise called Ninja. The animals were discovered in a state of severe neglect, living amidst filth and hazards that posed serious health risks.

RSPCA inspector Deborah Beats provided a detailed account of the conditions inside Ewing’s home. She described the floors of every accessible room as being covered in feces, with the environment filled with dangerous items such as bottles of bleach, broken furniture, scattered rubbish, and sharp objects. The living space lacked any proper resting areas for the dogs; the sofas were contaminated with feces, and there were no dog beds or clean bedding available. The dogs had no access to food, as evidenced by the empty bowls and torn-up bags of dry dog food strewn across the flat.

Furthermore, the dogs had been deprived of their natural behaviors and physical exercise for four days, as they were prevented from accessing the garden and lacked mental stimulation. This neglect severely impacted their well-being and quality of life.

In addition to the dogs, the inspector found the tortoise, Ninja, confined within a tank that was described as 'filthy and malodorous.' The tank contained a mouldy, stale-smelling lid, and inside, a screwdriver was found, posing a hazard to the animal. The environment was grossly inadequate, with murky water, no heat lamp, and no nutritious food or suitable bedding for the tortoise. The water was thick and unclean, and there was no provision for bathing or hydration.

Following the inspection, all animals were signed over to the care of the RSPCA. Since then, they have been rehomed and are now in safe environments, far removed from the neglect they endured.

At Manchester magistrates’ court, Ewing pleaded guilty to two offences under the Animal Welfare Act. District Judge Thomas Mitchell emphasized the seriousness of the case, stating, “The defendant’s personal difficulties do not excuse abandoning animals who would certainly have died if RSPCA had not intervened.”

As part of her sentence, Ewing received a 12-month community order, along with a six-month alcohol treatment order. She was also fined £386, with an additional £114 in costs. Moreover, she was issued a three-year ban on keeping all animals, which will remain in effect until August 2026, to prevent any future neglect or abuse.