Census officers to door knock around Lincolnshire

The RSPCA has released harrowing images after five dogs were left to live among piles of excrement with no food in Lincolnshire, resulting in one being put to sleep.

A 39-year-old man has been banned from keeping animals for the next ten years.

Edward Ernest Lees, of Grange Meadows in Selby, North Yorkshire, was sentenced at Hull Magistrates Court on Thursday, April 8.

He pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering of a Jack Russell Terrier called Sam, as well as failing to meet the medical needs of five dogs.

It came after RSPCA inspector Laura Jones went to visit the property on Saddleback Road, Howdales in Louth on January 22, 2020.

Outside the property it was an absolute mess. | Photo: RSPCA

After asking the owner to contact her and getting no response, Laura contacted police to allow her to gain entry into the property, where two dogs were found in amongst wretched filth.

She said: “When I opened the door to the sitting room where the two dogs were being kept the stench of ammonia hit me instantly and made my eyes water.

Excrement covered the floor and food bags had been ripped open. | Photo: RSPCA

“There was no food or water available in the sitting room for these dogs, I could just see three empty bowls on the floor and two empty 10kg plastic sacks of dog biscuits which were next to a pile of excrement. The floor was also wet with what appeared to be urine.

“This was clearly a totally inadequate environment for these dogs and I was so relieved to be able to take them into our care and bring them to safety to get them the care they needed.”

The dogs were petrified, but were taken in by the RSPCA. | Photo: RSPCA

As well as this, a further three dogs were found living in an outbuilding, in which the entire ground floor was covered in faeces and urine.

A sofa and armchair were found ripped to shreds, as well as stained, and empty packets of dog food were scattered along the floor.

The dog’s ‘water bowl’ was surrounded by faeces, urine and rubbish. | Photo: RSPCA

The five dogs that were found were all crossbreeds, and were called Ewen, Colin, Jessie, Sam and Sheldon, with all but Sheldon surviving the ordeal.

Upon being found, the dogs were taken to a vet for assessments, and Sam was in a bad condition, while Sheldon was put to sleep by vet advice due to his behavioural issues.

The dogs desperately needed veterinary attention. | Photo: RSPCA

The vet report stated: “I feel that Sam was suffering. The suffering included severe dental pain, numerous open wounds, severe dehydration, active infections. His extremely poor body condition meant he was succumbing to organ failure due to lack of any form of nutrition, he had no fat reserves.”

Sam made a miraculous recovery. | Photo: RSPCA

Incredibly, Sam has recovered after fears he may have to be put to sleep, and has since been rehomed. There were also happy endings for Colin, Ewen and Jessie who have found new owners as well.

In mitigation, Edward Ernest Lees said that he had taken control of the dogs after a relative of his had died.

He then said that his financial problems as well as grieving his relative caused him to spiral out of control.

Four of the five dogs have now found new owners. | Photo: RSPCA

Lees has been sentenced to a 12-month community order, with 140 hours of unpaid work, and will also be disqualified from keeping any mammals for 10 years.

As well as this, he was ordered to pay £300 costs and a £95 victim surcharge.

Police are on the look out for a wanted Lincoln man, who has been recalled to prison after breaching the conditions of his licence.

Joshua Cutter, 26, of Birchwood Avenue in Lincoln, was released on licence after being sentenced to one year and two months in prison last summer.

Cutter was sentenced at Lincoln Crown Court on July 13, 2020 for an offence of aggravated vehicle taking, theft and driving while disqualified.

Anyone with information should contact Lincolnshire Police on 101 or via email at [email protected] quoting incident number 272 of April 8.

Alternatively, it can be reported through the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online here.

A 21-year-old man has tragically died after collapsing in the street on a busy Monday evening in Cleethorpes.

Emergency services attended the scene on Grant Street shortly before 7.15pm on Monday, April 12 and a man was taken to hospital for treatment.

He later sadly died and his death is not thought to be suspicious.

It was a busy night for Humberside Police as pubs and bars reopened for outdoor custom.

Police have said they will continue their enquiries to establish the cause of death.

Officers blocked off a large section of Cleethorpes High Street from the mini roundabout at the junction with Cross Street to the Alexandra Road and Market Place roundabout, according to Grimsby Live.

Emergency services were reportedly seen in the area of the Foundry Pub, formerly called O’Neill’s, which reopened to serve customers outside on the first night that beer gardens were allowed to reopen again.

A spokesperson for Humberside Police said: “A man was reported to have collapsed in the street and there was concern for his welfare and safety. Emergency services attended immediately and took a 21-year-old man to hospital for treatment.

“Sadly the man passed away in hospital. The man’s family have been informed of his death and are being supported by specially trained officers.

“Our sympathies are with his family and friends at this very difficult time.

“The circumstances of the man’s death are not thought to be suspicious and enquiries will continue to establish the cause of his passing.”

Meanwhile, it was a busy night for Humberside Police with “lots of incidents of alcohol-fuelled disorder in Ashby, Ferry Road, Westwoodside, West Butterwick and Barnetby, resulting in 5 people in custody.”