A man who admitted neglecting eight dogs in his care has been banned from keeping animals for ten years.
Meekaa'eel Abu-bakar Nawaz of Oxford Road, Birmingham, pled guilty to two animal welfare offences following an investigation and prosecution by the RSPCA.
Rescuers from the animal welfare charity joined West Midlands Police who were carrying out a warrant at two addresses in Birmingham after concerns were raised about the welfare of dogs owned by Nawaz.
At an address in Kings Norton, two dogs were found in the garden. Both dogs - who were in a hazardous and inappropriate environment - were visibly underweight and one of the dogs had skin lesions that required treatment.
The dogs were confined in makeshift kennels; one, constructed from plastic containers, provided no protection from the elements. Bedding consisted only of thin, urine-soaked straw. The second wooden shelter was in total disrepair, with holes in the roof and a chewed-through floor exposing the plastic surface beneath.
Excessive chewing on wooden structures indicated long-term confinement amidst numerous hazards. Faeces littered the yard, and a modified open drain - covered only by a lightweight plastic paddling pool - posed a significant fall risk to the dogs.
The yard was further cluttered with vehicle tyres, pallets, a tyre-hanging frame, and metal run panels, while the perimeter fence was draped in dangerous, loose-hanging barbed wire.
The only water source seen was a black plastic stacker box near to the rear door which contained green water with green algae.
A search inside the property revealed numerous bite sleeves, sticks, leads, a dog treadmill, a full bite suit, full size shields, weighted dog collar and various dog medications. The harness for the treadmill was set up for use on the framework overhanging the running platform of the treadmill.
Chief Inspector John Grant from the RSPCA said: “The shields bore marks clearly indicating they had been extensively used. In the same cupboard were a quantity of dog leads, in excess forty leads.
“A total of six dogs were removed from the pens and rear garden area at another address at Accocks Green. The living conditions in each pen were squalid with the floor areas covered in faeces.
“The site featured dilapidated, heavily chewed shelters and pens, which were severely contaminated with faeces. In one instance, waste had been compacted beneath the kennel flooring, forcing animals to sit on it, while the surrounding area was cluttered with building, vehicle, and mechanical debris.”
In the rear garage, rescuers discovered a spiked pinch collar, bite sleeves, various animal medications, and veterinary paperwork.
All eight dogs were assessed as being underweight by a vet. Some dogs suffered from pressure sores, skin lesions, and matted coats, indicating a failure to meet basic veterinary and care needs
Five of the dogs displayed high levels of aggression—including lunging and biting—resulting in some staff members being injured.
Nawaz, who changed his plea to guilty on the day of his trial, was also sentenced to a 16 weeks custody, suspended for 12 months and 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days.
He can not appeal his ten year ban from keeping animals for five years.
In mitigation, he said he was ashamed of his behaviour and he struggled with mental health and that he was a family man with no previous offences.
Following the sentencing, Chief Inspector Grant added: “Animals are completely reliant on their owners to ensure their needs are met and they are kept safe and healthy. Owning an animal is a privilege - and ensuring appropriate care is a key part of the responsibility we have towards them.
“We will always look into reports of animals suffering and we depend on the public to be our eyes and ears and report any concerns to us.”
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