Neil Coates and Vikki Hoyland jailed after neglecting dogs

Neil Coates and Vikki Hoyland left their pets without adequate supplies of food and failed to seek veterinary treatment for several serious health problems affecting the canines.

The dogs, Bella, a French bulldog, and Sox and Nelson, both Staffordshire bull terriers, were found locked in a bathroom at a property in Newcastle.

The discovery came as the RSPCA was asked by Northumbria Police to attend the property in Kingsley Terrace on February 6 this year.

Bella had a severe skin infection, which had left her with red raw patches, and Sox was emaciated. When RSPCA inspector Kirsty Keogh-Laws went into the property, she found that Nelson was unable to walk because of malnourishment, although he was also suffering with a number of underlying health issues.

Two of the canines were struggling to stand as they were so malnourished (Image: The Northern Echo)

Read more: Pictures show extent of damage after alleged drink driver smashes through village shop

The bathroom where the dogs were locked in was covered in faeces and four bowls left on the floor were empty.

Sadly, Sox and Nelson were in such poor health that a vet decided that it was kinder that they were put to sleep to end their suffering.

In a witness statement presented to the court, RSPCA inspector Keogh-Laws said the property was strewn with rubbish and smelt of urine and she was immediately concerned about the welfare of the dogs, who had been found by police officers.

The bathroom where the dogs were locked in was covered in faeces and four bowls left on the floor were empty (Image: The Northern Echo)

She said: “The bathroom was absolutely filthy. There was a very strong smell of urine and faeces covered the floor from one side of the room to the other. There was a pile of around 30 faeces next to the radiator in the room. Some of these appeared to have been there some time as they were beginning to turn white.

“The faeces had been spread across the floor and ingrained into the flooring, there were paw prints set into the faeces as if they had been there for some time. There were four bowls in the room all of which were completely empty, the bowls had faeces stuck to the side of them. The flooring had been ripped up in places.”

“I could see his harness was hanging off him, it was so loose that it didn’t fit at all. I could clearly see his ribs, hips and spine. His back end was very sunken and he appeared to be having some difficulties standing,” said the inspector.

Of the three dogs, Nelson was in the worst condition. At the time he was found he was unable to get up off the floor and his hips, ribs and spine were clearly visible.

“He made no attempt to move as Bella was trying to climb over him and around him. He also didn’t appear to have much awareness,” added the inspector, who took the three dogs to a local vets for treatment. 

Sox was found to be suffering from a malignant tumour.

Sox was found to be suffering from a malignant tumour (Image: The Northern Echo)

Coates, 51, and Hoyland, 38, pleaded guilty to four offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and appeared for sentencing at Newcastle-upon-Tyne Magistrates’ Court on October 27.

They were both jailed for 20 weeks.

The pair were also banned from keeping dogs for 10 years and will have to pay a victim surcharge of £128 each on their release. No costs were awarded because the defendants are in custody.

Vikki Hoyland and Neil Coates left their pets without adequate supplies of food and failed to seek veterinary treatment for several serious health problems affecting the canines. (Image: Northumbria Police)

Read next: 

• 'Reckless' driver banned and fined after speeding 134mph in a 60mph zone
• Specialist police officers desperately searching for missing woman, 58, last seen a week ago
• Violent thug who held pregnant woman at knifepoint and broke her jaw jailed for 15 years