A couple from Barrow were sentenced after three starving dogs were rescued from a house filled with hazardous rubbish, faeces and urine.

Anthony Collingwood, 25, and Chantelle Lyly Fitzpatrick, 28, are originally from Coal Clough Lane, Burnley, Lancashire.

They now live at Egerton Court, Barrow and appeared at Barrow-in-Furness Magistrates’ Court on September 16 after pleading guilty at a previous hearing. 

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They were given a 12-month community order with 10 rehabilitation activity requirement days to complete, as well as a £120 fine each and victim surcharges of £134 each.

Both were disqualified from owning or keeping all animals for 10 years.

The duo faced two offences of causing unnecessary suffering to a dog, called Patch, by failing to address his ear infection and his poor bodily condition, as well as one offence of failing to meet the needs of three dogs. 

The house was covered in hazardous rubbish, faeces and urine (Image: RSPCA) In August 2022, RSPCA officers visited the Burnley property many times following reports of unattended dogs living in poor conditions.

Animal Rescue Officer (ARO) Kelly Nix said: “The conditions inside looked dirty, the small tan dog appeared very distressed. I fed the dogs through the letterbox, and the small terrier was biting through the letterbox.”

Seals that had been placed on the doors to test whether the dogs had been abandoned  were still intact, meaning the dogs hadn't been tended to.

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On 22 August, RSPCA Inspector Lyndsey Taylor returned and said one dog ‘very weak, lethargic and reluctant to get up, but his tail was wagging’. A vet agreed the dog was suffering and she called the police and ARO Nix. 

The police seized all three dogs due to ‘serious concerns’ for their welfare; including an emaciated tan and white Staffordshire bull terrier type, called Patch.

Patch was severely emaciated (Image: RSPCA) Inspector Nix’s said: “I could see all his ribs spine and hips, his skull looked sunken, he was covered in scars around his face some appeared fresh, I saw live fleas.”

A female lurcher, Luna, was in normal condition but had fleas and fur loss around her back end.

A small terrier also had fleas and was ‘very nervous’.

Neighbours told the rescuers that the little terrier, Star, had never been seen outside with officers using food and Luna to entice her out of the house.

ARO Nix’s statement added: “She became so stressed in the environment that she tried to bite at Inspector Taylor numerous times, and also bit [Patch]. It was difficult to get hold of the dogs because of the amount of rubbish underfoot.

"On entering the property I was hit with the smell of urine and faeces. I could not see the floor as it was covered in rubbish.

The dogs were described as very hungry and has been neglected in very poor conditions  (Image: RSPCA) “As I walked through the kitchen I could hear what sounded like lightbulbs shattering under my foot, when I looked there was broken glass. There were empty chewed cans of food and chewed cartons throughout the house.

“The house was littered with faeces. There were no signs of any food and water bowls anywhere, and I could not see any food inside the property.

“There were tablets on the floors and tables, there was an open electricity box by the front door that had wiring hanging out, these could easily have been reached by the dogs.”

All three ‘extremely hungry and thirsty’ dogs were subsequently checked by vets, fed and given water.

Patch, 14, was put on a drip and treated for fleas, wounds and an ear infection. Luna, 4, was underweight and had fur loss, fleas and cuts. One-year-old Star had cuts on her chest and chin. 

Patch was covered in scars and fleas (Image: RSPCA) The owner asked for the dogs back after moving to a new property two/three weeks earlier.

In Court, the court heard how the couple had been forced out of the house by drug dealers. Fitzpatrick said she regretted her behaviour, cared for her animals and had some health problems. 

All three dogs have been rehabilitated and are doing well in their new homes.