Lifetime Ban for Owner After Dog Found Dead in Cage

A man has been banned from keeping animals for life and given a suspended prison sentence after his dog was found dead in a Harborough village.

Owen Greaves, 22, previously of Main Street, Hungarton, was prosecuted by the RSPCA following concerns about the welfare of his bulldog, Cali.

RSPCA Animal Rescue Officer Hollie Morrall attended the address and found Cali dead inside a cage, with her head resting on an empty food bowl.

She described the bulldog as extremely thin, with her ribs, hips and spine visible. She also had a scab on her head and a wound near her tail.

A post-mortem examination found no underlying disease that could have contributed to her condition or death, with starvation identified as the most likely cause.

The vet said Cali would have experienced pain and discomfort from hunger, as well as skin and stomach ulceration.

Greaves was found guilty in his absence of failing to meet the dog’s welfare needs at an earlier hearing.

When he was sentenced at Worcester Magistrates’ Court on October 23rd, he received 20 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months, and was ordered to complete 60 hours of unpaid work.

He was also banned from keeping animals for life, with no appeal permitted for seven years. He must pay £700 in costs and a £154 victim surcharge.

In mitigation, the court heard that Greaves had been struggling with mental health and financial problems at the time.

RSPCA Inspector Beckie Harlock, who investigated the case, said:

“Pets, like Cali, are completely reliant on their owners to ensure their needs are met and they are kept safe, and healthy. Every person who owns, or is responsible for, an animal has a duty of care to ensure they stay healthy. That includes ensuring they have a suitable diet.”