A man has been handed a 10-year animal ban after his young dog was left in such a “severe state” that she had to be euthanised. Thomas Buckworth was also given a suspended prison sentence for his treatment of one-year-old Cavalier Spaniel, Maggie, in a case brought by the RSPCA.
Dog found emaciated and close to death
The 23-year-old, of Premier Road, in Ormesby, Middlesbrough, pleaded guilty to the offence following the animal charity’s investigation, after Maggie was rushed to the vet on November 5, 2025, emaciated and close to death. Her head was covered in mites, with pressure sores on her right elbow, and she was described as being “soaking” wet, with matted dry faeces on her coat, especially on her right ear.
The vet also reported that she didn’t move apart from her head, which lifted slightly every few seconds, when she is said to have repeated a “haunting, howling noise”, with fixed eyes, and she was also “gasping almost agonal breaths”. They advised that Maggie was dying, and the decision was made to euthanise her to end her suffering.
Post mortem findings
When a post mortem examination was done, findings included a “diffuse reduction in muscle mass and lack of visible adipose tissue, otherwise known as body fat, which was likely caused by prolonged malnutrition.” The report concluded that Maggie experienced a “prolonged period” where her calorie intake was too low for her needs.
Sentencing and reaction
Thomas Buckworth was sentenced to 15 weeks imprisonment, suspended for two years, as well as being given the 10-year ban on keeping all animals, which he cannot contest for 8 years, at Teesside Magistrates’ Court on September 15. He was also ordered to pay £1,082 in legal costs and vet’s fees.
After the sentencing, RSPCA Inspector Natalie Hill said: “This was a very upsetting case. Poor Maggie had clearly been suffering for some time, as evidenced by the condition she was in when she was taken to the vets.”
“It is heart-breaking to think of any animal suffering in this way, and there is simply no reason for it to ever reach this stage.”
