Sunderland dogs make 'magnificent recovery' after owner is banned from keeping animals

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The RSPCA took the pets into care more than a year ago after discovering them in an emaciated condition at the Sunderland home of Caroline Elizabeth Barker.

Now that Barker, 43, of Kesteven Road, Downhill, is banned from keeping animals after admitting one charge of causing the dogs unnecessary suffering, the charity can begin matching them with new keepers.

South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court was told that Willow, a tan and white male Lurcher-type dog, “was in a very thin body condition with his ribs, hips and spine clearly visible”.

These dogs have all made a "magnificent recovery" after they were discovered in an emaciated condition during an RSPCA investigation into their former Sunderland owner.

Two Staffordshire Bull Terrier-type dogs, Ben and Flossy, and a Jack Russell Terrier called Missy “were also in thin body condition with their stomachs tucked in and had varying degrees of fur loss.”

The court was also told that the floor inside the property was wet with urine with no sign of any food bowls set down for the pets.

Veterinary tests soon confirmed that all four dogs were emaciated.

Since they were taken to the RSPCA’s Felledge animal centre, near Chester-le-Street, however, they have all put weight on.

How three of the dogs looked after the RSPCA were called to their Sunderland home more than a year ago.

Manager Maggie Eden said: "All four dogs have made a magnificent recovery having been at the centre for over a year whilst court proceedings concluded.

"Ben had some behavioural and medical problems when he arrived with us but he has overcome all of those and he has a new home lined up for him.

"Flossy and Willow are also due to be adopted and little Missy is currently in foster care."

Barker, who signed the dogs over to the RSPCA at last week’s court hearing, is now banned from owning animals for a decade and cannot appeal against the disqualification for five years.

The court was told that she had effectively lost focus after the death of a loved one and that harm was caused through incompetence owing to personal circumstances rather than malice.

She was also ordered to pay a £162 fine, £500 costs and a £32 victim surcharge.

The charge related to the way she looked after the dogs between September and October 2019.

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