An abused dog from Calne has been rehomed after recovering – as his former owner is convicted of animal cruelty.
Paul Brewster kept Rusty, a Staffordshire bull terrier, in a kitchen riddled with faeces and rubbish, and without food and water.
The pet was seized by police during a raid on his home in May 2024 – before providing vet treatment and rehabilitation with a dog charity.
The 38-year-old father, of Dixon Way, pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal and failing to ensure its welfare.
At Swindon Magistrates’ Court on 30 April, he was fined fined £285 and ordered to pay a £114 surcharge and £85 in costs to the Crown Prosecution Service. No animal ban was imposed.
Now, Rusty has a new life – with a new owner. He’s since recovered from malnourishment and skin conditions, putting all the weight back on.
Wiltshire Police said the pet made a “huge recovery”.
At the time of sentencing, PC Lizzie Wright, the investigating officer, said: “This was a terrible case of animal cruelty.
“The dog was found to be living in a kitchen full of rubbish, including its own faeces.
“It did not have a water bowl, and we could not find any dog food in the house – a clear failure to provide the dog’s most basic needs.
“Rusty was incredibly malnourished, and its skin was visibly in a bad shape.
“Thanks to our swift intervention, Rusty is now recovering well and will have the opportunity to be re-homed through a dedicated animal charity, and Brewster has been fined for his lack of care for the animal.”
