Dog Handler is Jailed for Cruelty


A professional dog handler has been handed a life ban for keeping
all animals and 12 weeks in prison after he left two dogs locked in a
van on one of the hottest days of the year.
Lee Ellerton, 37, of Riley Street North in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent
was sentenced today (January 27) at Fenton Magistrates Court for
causing unnecessary suffering to two dogs.
He had denied the charges but magistrates found him guilty of six charges under the Animal Welfare Act.
Mr Ellerton, who worked for a security firm, had left the dogs in
his van during 30 degree heat on July 1 last year. A member of the
public called the RSPCA and inspectors were immediately sent to the van
which was parked in Holehouse Road, Abbey Hulton.
Inspector Julie Lyons arrived shortly afterwards but sadly one of
the dogs, a tan German Shepherd named Sky, had already died and was in
rigor-mortis.
The second dog, a black and tan German Shepherd called Duke, had
collapsed and was unable to move. He was taken to a vet and despite a
desperate attempt to revive him, an independent vet put him to sleep
later that day to prevent further suffering.
Mr Ellerton said that the dogs had been left in the vehicle for
about an hour but witness statements said this could have been up to
four hours.
Vets confirmed that both the dogs suffered undue stress and preventable deaths due to hyperthermia and heatstroke.
Insp Lyons said: “Although I am sure Mr Ellerton never intended his
dogs to suffer in this way, I found this whole situation to be wholly
unacceptable. Mr Ellerton is a professional dog handler and should not
under any circumstances have left the dogs in the van. This incident
was very, very distressing to deal with.
“This sentence sends out the clear signal that such behaviour is not
acceptable. We have repeatedly asked members of the public not to take
their animals out if they are going to be leaving them on a hot day.
“These two dogs sadly paid the ultimate price for their owner’s lack of common sense.”

I am glad he didn't get off with it I was worried he would

so pleased he didnt get off with it!

good,these people make me sick

Is this the well publised police officer?

no Hilary

Glad he didnt get off with it. But those poor poor dogs makes me sick especially when people should know better common sence let alone anything else.

Should lock him in the same situation as those poor dogs b*****d.

Lxx