KYLE YOUNG – NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE

Kyle Young, 25, currently of Elswick, Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 and previously of Shotton Colliery, Durham – abandoned two starved and neglected dogs and subjected at least one of them to physical violence.

On 15 March 2025 RSPCA Inspector Rowena Proctor went to Young’s then address of Hanover Crescent in Shotton Colliery following reports that dogs had been left unattended inside.

There was no reply and a police notice on the door said the locks had been changed.

Looking through the patio doors the officer could see an Akita-type dog who appeared to be extremely thin and had very obvious patches of painful-looking fur loss.

Whilst at the location the Inspector was told the house had been petrol bombed three days before and the occupants had not returned since.

The police were contacted to help gain access to the property.

Peppa, an older female Akita, was taken into police possession because of concerns for her welfare and transported immediately for veterinary treatment by Inspector Proctor.

In her written evidence to the court the officer said: “Peppa was very thin, her spine, ribs and pelvis were felt with ease and she had thick scabbing down her rear end and tail with more scarring and scabs down all four of her legs.

“She seemed to be a really gentle dog, she was easy to handle and managed to hop straight into the kennel in my van which was a big relief as I was so concerned she would struggle due to her terrible body condition.”

During the course of the investigation, footage was also passed to the charity which showed a man identified as Young appearing to try and throw Peppa over a six-foot high fence. She was heard making fearful noises and was seen dropping to the ground before being struck twice and crying out.

Young later claimed in an interview that he hit her because she had bared her teeth.

The damage to Peppa’s skin was so severe that a severe secondary bacterial infection had taken hold which required several weeks of extensive antibiotic treatment.

The court heard that in a separate incident several months earlier, an adult French bull dog called Nala was also signed into the care of the RSPCA from the same address. Young claimed he had taken her in as a stray. Peppa was not at the property at the time.

Nala weighed 10.05kgs (22.15lbs) and was given a body condition score of two out of nine. A large pendulous mass was hanging from the left side of her vulva for which no veterinary treatment had been sought.

In mitigation the court was told the defendant was a drug addict.

Peppa was initially looked after at a private boarding facility on behalf of the RSPCA. She made a good recovery and was successfully rehomed by the RSPCA Halifax, Huddersfield, Bradford & District Branch.

Despite receiving treatment Nala’s health did not improve and she was later put to sleep on veterinary advice to prevent further suffering.

A third dog who was not the subject of any charges was signed over by Young and has also been rehomed by the charity.

Speaking after sentencing Inspector Proctor said: “Both dogs were suffering from serious health issues as a result of Young’s prolonged neglect and negligence. Peppa had also been subjected to needless physical violence by him which had left her terrified.

“I’d like to thank the police and the people who assisted us with this investigation and to the team at our Halifax, Huddersfield & Bradford Branch who helped with Peppa’s rehabilitation and found her a wonderful and much-deserved new home.”

16-week custodial sentence, suspended for 18 months; 151 days of ‘rehab’; six-month drug treatment programme; costs of £300 plus £154 victim surcharge. Disqualified from keeping animals for ten years.