Nicolas Bailey Parker has been banned from keeping animals for life after four French bulldogs were found starve in a filthy and mould-infested home
A man has been slapped with a lifetime ban on owning animals after four French bulldogs were discovered starving in a squalid, mould-ridden house.
Nicolas Bailey Parker, 34, from Banbury, Oxfordshire, admitted to an animal welfare offence when the dogs were discovered in a property in Exeter by the RSPCA and police.
RSPCA Inspector Jim Farr, who led the investigation for the animal welfare charity, visited the address on 19 June last year and was met with the horrifying sight of four French bulldogs – two of which were already dead. The remaining two dogs found in the grimy, cluttered property were severely underweight and in desperate need of immediate care.
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The abandoned home was found in appalling conditions, with mould, collapsing ceilings, discarded rubbish, and faeces strewn about. The bodies of the deceased dogs, Luther and Piper, were found decomposing in the rooms and upon examination by a vet, were found to be in an emaciated state.
The surviving dogs, Peach and Finger, managed to regain weight and condition under the care of the RSPCA and have since found new homes. Inspector Farr recounted: “Prior to entry we all accessed the back garden which was unkempt and cluttered with discarded personal items and rubbish. A shed to the bottom of the garden was full of discarded rubbish.”
Peering through the back kitchen window and patio door, it was clear that the property was in a shocking state. “Looking through the back kitchen window and the back patio door we could see that the property was in a filthy state. It appeared that the ceilings for these rooms had come down. There was growth of what appeared to be mould on both of the interior kitchen and patio door windows.
“Inside the downstairs was extremely filthy with a build-up of rubbish. The growth of mould on some of the walls was extensive. My movement was restricted due to the chaotic placement of rubbish and personal items .
“Upstairs, the floor was also filthy and cluttered with all sorts of personal items and rubbish. Faeces could be seen in the majority of the rooms.
“Inside one of the rooms, I sadly found the body of a male French bulldog crossbred dog.”
In addition to the ban, which he cannot appeal against for 15 years, Parker was handed a seven-month suspended sentence.
He was also ordered to complete 100 hours of unpaid work and up to 30 days of rehabilitation activity when he was sentenced at Exeter Crown Court on 13 October.
Parker was said to have been struggling with care responsibilities while his partner was unwell at the time of the neglect and had left the dogs behind when he moved out.
In sentencing, Judge James Patrick said: “This is one of the most extraordinary cases I’ve ever had to deal with. Extraordinary because of the suffering sustained by four animals that were your responsibility; also because of the life experiences that you yourself have suffered.
“As a child you discovered your father dead; as a young adult your mother died, your brother soon afterwards; that combination of trauma has created a shadow over your life.
“This was prolonged neglect, and there was a deliberate disregard for the welfare of the animal. Aggravated because there was not one animal, but four, and death resulted in two, and life threatening injuries were caused to the other two.”