Castleford man banned from keeping animals after leaving 'extremely underweight' bulldog in 'fearful state'

Benjamin Cobb, aged 40, of Borrowdale Drive in Castleford, pleaded guilty to failing to meet the needs of Sasha, an 11-year-old bulldog boxer cross, including not providing prompt veterinary care and failing to address the dog’s poor body condition under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

As well as the 10-year disqualification, Cobb received a 12-month community order when he was sentenced at Kirklees Magistrates’ Court on January 6. The order included 100 days of unpaid work and to attend 20 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement (RAR) days.

The court was told how the defendant failed to follow up an initial trip to the vets when Sasha received pain medication in June 2024. The appointment was funded by a vet voucher he was given by RSPCA Inspector Hannah Williams. The inspector and a colleague went to the defendant’s former home at Watling Road, Castleford, after reports about an underweight dog.

In a statement to the court, the inspector said: “Sasha’s ribs were visible and she had some fur loss on her back legs. I explained to the defendant that due to the dog’s body condition and fur loss she needed to go to a vets.”

When further concerns for Sasha were reported to the charity later, the inspector contacted the vets who confirmed the dog had not been returned for a follow-up appointment.

RSPCA Inspector Joanne Taylor tried to contact the defendant in January last year after a call stating the dog had been seen “extremely underweight”. She attended with a police officer who executed a warrant at Cobb’s home on February 5 last year.

Sasha was found in a “fearful and aggressive state” in the kitchen where there was no food or water for her. Her ribs, hips and spine were “protruding” and she had been rummaging through a bin in an attempt to find something to eat. When the defendant returned to the property he claimed he had tried to rehome her.

Sasha was signed over into the care of the RSPCA and taken to the charity’s Greater Manchester Animal Hospital where sadly it was decided her health was so poor that the kindest thing to do was to put her to sleep.

A vet, who examined her, said the dog scored two out of nine on a body condition score (where five is an ideal weight) and was suffering with an enlarged spleen and muscle wastage, while tests showed she may have been suffering from blood cancer,

The vet concluded the dog suffered for at least two weeks due to her condition as well as pain and discomfort from arthritis.

In mitigation, the defendant claimed he did not return to the vet because of the cost. It was said he was suffering from depression due to personal and business circumstances. He was also told to pay court costs of £100 and a victim surcharge of £114.

Speaking after the hearing, Inspector Taylor said: “This owner failed to follow veterinary advice to return for a follow-up appointment and poor Sasha did not have her basic needs met.

“Her medical conditions, including her arthritis, may have been able to have been managed at that stage.

“For anyone struggling to meet vet bills the RSPCA has information about charities that can help with costs at our telephone helpline on 0300 123 0650 and an online hub.”