A German Shepherd that collapsed in a filthy kitchen coated in faeces, urine and mud had to be revived with CPR by vets after her heart stopped. The three-year-old dog, named Bella, was found shaking uncontrollably and fighting for her life when RSPCA officers arrived at a property in Lancashire.
Bella was rushed to an emergency vet, where her heart stopped before staff managed to revive her. Her owner, Charles Bruce, has now been banned from keeping animals indefinitely after three German Shepherds were discovered living in appalling conditions.
Owner sentenced after admitting animal welfare offences
Bruce, of Hendon Road, Nelson, Lancashire, was handed a 26-week prison sentence, suspended for two years, after admitting two offences under the Animal Welfare Act. He was also ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work and pay £4,184 in costs, plus a £154 victim surcharge.
Bella was found lying on her side in the kitchen alongside two male German Shepherds, Tyson and Duke, who were severely underweight and covered in a mixture of mud and faeces. The decomposed remains of a fourth German Shepherd were discovered in a locked shed in the garden.
Rescuers describe 'worst room' they had ever seen
RSPCA Deputy Chief Inspector Jess Pierce said: “Two young-looking German Shepherds came running out of this room. They appeared desperate to get out. They were covered in faeces and mud and appeared to be underweight.
“I then heard Mr Bruce say, ‘I think another one’s died.’ I looked into the kitchen and could see a mix of faeces and urine on the floor. It was like a thick sludge. The smell was so strong it made it difficult to breathe.
“I saw Mr Bruce pick up the dog who was lying on her side in the sludge. She appeared to be having a seizure and was shaking uncontrollably. I have seen animals do this before as they are about to die.”
Bella was taken straight to a veterinary practice before being transferred to a specialist emergency hospital. By the time she arrived, vets could no longer detect a heartbeat. They successfully revived her with CPR and she stabilised overnight.
One dog put to sleep, two rehomed
RSPCA Animal Rescue Officer Lee Ferrans said: “To me Bella looked dead. She was completely limp and lifeless and was dripping with the thick sludge. It was difficult to even look into the room without feeling sick.
“I’ve worked as an animal rescue officer for almost three years and it’s not uncommon for us to remove animals living in poor conditions, but where Mr Bruce kept his dogs stands out as the worst room I have ever seen in my life.
“I can only describe it as a cesspit.”
Duke, who was found emaciated, later deteriorated and was put to sleep to prevent further suffering. Tyson and Bella survived and were rehabilitated before being rehomed by the RSPCA. Tyson was renamed Monty and both dogs have since found loving new homes.
Lily Dickinson, fostering co-ordinator for the RSPCA’s Southport, Ormskirk and District Branch, said: “Bella and Monty were both understandably traumatised by what they’d experienced.
“We receive wonderful updates about Bella and Monty and we know they are both thriving with their new families enjoying toys, walks, holidays and loving companionship.”
The court heard police executed an emergency warrant at the property after concerns were raised about the dogs’ welfare. Bruce told officers another person had been feeding the animals while he was away and accepted the conditions inside the property were unacceptable. The court was told he had been struggling with family difficulties and poor mental health at the time.
