Suspended sentence for ex-Wirral dog owner Peter Shelley

Peggy, a young pocket bully who was only a puppy at the time, had an untreated skin condition, a bilateral ear infection and a ten-day prolapse, when she was found at a flat in Shrewsbury Road in Prenton on April 23 2023.

Her owner, Peter Shelley, 47, had denied causing unnecessary suffering and failing to meet her needs, but was found guilty at a trial at Wirral Magistrates Court on Wednesday, March 20 and has been handed a ten-week suspended prison sentence for failing to help her.

The court heard how police officers had gone to the flat to carry out a welfare check on Peggy after Shelley had been taken into custody.

The RSPCA was contacted after officers expressed concern about the dog’s condition and noticed bloodied bedding in her crate.

In his evidence to the court, RSPCA Inspector Anthony Joynes, who responded to the incident, said: "The dog had been seized by officers and I advised that she should be taken urgently to a vet for assessment.

Peggy during examination at the vets (Image: RSPCA)"I attended the flat at Shrewsbury Road. There was no response and no access through the side gate so I left a calling card requesting that the owner/person responsible for the dog respond.

"I made arrangements for a colleague to collect the dog the following day and transport her to the RSPCA’s Greater Manchester Animal Hospital for further assessment and treatment.”

The first vet who examined Peggy on April 23 said she had a low body condition score, inflamed, crusting dermatitis affecting her ears, chin, eyelids and chest, a bilateral infection of both ear canals and a vaginal prolapse.

In written evidence to the court, she said: "In my professional opinion I believe that the conditions had been present for a duration of longer than three weeks.

"I do not believe any treatment was being administered to this patient and no professional help had been sought for the vaginal prolapse."

Peggy is said to be enjoying life in new home (Image: RSPCA)

A second vet who examined Peggy at the RSPCA's Greater Manchester Animal Hospital on 24 April diagnosed an ulcerated vaginal prolapse, a bilateral ear infection and a skin allergy which had caused severe itching and alopecia.

She said: "Given the severity of Peggy’s condition on presentation, in my opinion she will have suffered for two weeks, as a minimum, likely longer".

The court heard that during the course of the investigation a local charity confirmed to the RSPCA that Peggy had been in their care on April 10 last year after she’d been admitted as a stray.

Shelley reclaimed her three days later but had ignored advice given to him by kennel staff that she needed urgent veterinary treatment.

Shelley was interviewed and said Peggy was being well looked after. He said he didn't think her ears were that bad, and although he could see the prolapse she seemed okay.

In addition to the ten-week prison sentence, which was suspended for 12 months, the court disqualified Shelley - now of Warbreck Avenue in Liverpool - from keeping animals for 18 months.

He was also given an additional eight-week suspended sentence for other non-related matters.

Peggy was initially looked after at a private boarding establishment on behalf of the RSPCA before being transferred to the charity’s Macclesfield, SE Cheshire and Buxton Branch, where she went into foster care.

She made a good recovery and earlier this month was adopted and is settling well into her new home.

Speaking after the trial, Inspector Joynes said: “Peggy is such a sweet little dog and has been a favourite with all the people who have assisted in her rescue, treatment and rehoming.

"She was let down severely by her owner who should have sought veterinary care much sooner for a number of issues.

"I'd like to thank the police officers who seized Peggy on the day for going above and beyond to make sure she was safe.

"Here's hoping she now can have a long happy life with her new family."