Man from Calne admits animal cruelty offences

A man has been sentenced for committing animal cruelty offences after a dog was seized from an address in Calne.

Paul Brewster, 38, of Dixon Way, pleaded guilty to being responsible for an animal to ensure welfare and causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal at Swindon Magistrates Court on April 30.

On 29 May, 2024, officers carried out a warrant in Dixon Way. A poorly looked-after dog, believed to be a banned breed, was seized from the property and moved to kennels for medical attention. The dog was assessed and was not classified as a banned breed and is going to be a charity to be re-homed. Brewster was arrested on suspicion of causing cruelty to animals under section 4 of the Animal Welfare Act.

You can watch footage from inside the property here

Brewster was fined £285 and ordered to pay a £114 surcharge and £85 to the Crown Prosecution Service.

The investigating officer, PC Lizzie Wright said: “This was a terrible case of animal cruelty. 

“The dog was found to be living in a kitchen full of rubbish, including its own faeces.

"It did not have a water bowl, and we could not find any dog food in the house – a clear failure to provide the dog’s most basic needs. Rusty was incredibly malnourished, and its skin was visibly in a bad shape.

“Thanks to our swift intervention, Rusty is now recovering well and will have the opportunity to be re-homed through a dedicated animal charity, and Brewster has been fined for his lack of care for the animal."

If you see, or suspect, that a person may be treating an animal badly, whether this is physical violence, neglect or any other form of cruelty, you should report this to the RSPCA.

We work with the RSPCA to investigate cases of animal cruelty.

If your partner, ex-partner or a family member has harmed or threatened to harm your pet, this can be a form of domestic abuse. Find out more about animal cruelty and domestic abuse.