Two people have been banned from keeping animals for three years and fined by magistrates after being sentenced for causing unnecessary suffering to a dog.

Officers from Evesham Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT), the Neighbourhood Crime Fighting Team (NCFT) and a dog handler executed a drugs warrant at an address on the Pinvin Caravan site in Pershore on 26 June 2024.

While on the site, police found four dogs in outdoor kennels and upon inspecting them officers became increasingly concerned of the condition and welfare of one called Dora.

Dora – a cockapoo type dog - was seized from her owners and an investigation was conducted by PC Martin Kennedy of Evesham SNT who led the drugs warrant.

Two people were arrested at the site and pled guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal when they appeared before Worcester Magistrates Court on 7 February.

The man and woman were banned for three years from owning, keeping, or participating in the keeping of any animal. All animals kept in contravention of this disqualification are also to be seized.

They were both deprived of any rights to keep Dora, and each was fined £120, ordered to pay costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £48.

PC Kennedy said: “We are pleased to say that Dora was rehomed during the investigation and is now living with new owners and enjoying life.

“This investigation shows the importance of being open and inquisitive when conducting any investigation.

“Although we were not on the caravan plot for this specific reason, when we saw the conditions that Dora was living in and the poor state of her coat, we immediately knew that positive action had to be taken.

“It’s very rewarding to know that she now has been rehoused, being cared for properly and has a better quality of life.

“As the police it is our duty to look out for the vulnerable who are unable to speak up for themselves, in this case it happened to be a two-year-old dog.”

JI, Corporate Communications