WARNING: DISTRESSING CONTENT
Animal cruelty cases uncovered across the North East this year have revealed shocking examples of neglect, abuse and suffering, with pets left starving, injured and seriously ill in the care of their owners.
From an elderly dog repeatedly kicked and dragged in Darlington to dozens of horses and dogs found living among carcasses on a County Durham farm, courts handed out animal bans, suspended prison sentences and community orders in a series of disturbing prosecutions brought by the RSPCA.
These are some of the most shocking animal cruelty cases heard by North East courts in 2026.
Kerry Anne Pickersgill and Ellie Newby, Barnard Castle
Pickersgill and Newby: Horses found in one of the buildings (Image: RSPCA)
Inspectors uncovered one of the region’s biggest animal neglect cases at a farm near Barnard Castle in February 2025.
Inspectors found 22 horses and 21 dogs living in appalling conditions among dead horses and other animal remains, and eight horses were later euthanised because of their condition.
On February 13, 2026, Kerry Anne Pickersgill was handed a suspended prison sentence after admitting multiple offences relating to horses and dogs, while her daughter Ellie Newby received a community order and a five-year dog-keeping ban.
Kyle Young, Shotton Colliery
Kyle Young (Image: RSPCA)
On March 15, 2025, Akita dog Peppa was found severely underweight and suffering from extensive skin disease. CCTV later showed Kyle Young attempting to throw the dog over a six-foot fence before striking her.
Another dog linked to the case, Nala, also suffered neglect and was later euthanised. Peppa later recovered and was rehomed by the RSPCA, while a third dog surrendered by Young was also rehomed.
On March 4, 2026, Young was sentenced to a suspended prison term and banned from keeping animals for ten years.
Kelly-Ann Frampton, Newcastle
Blossom had to be put down after her tumour grew so big it was 'almost trailing on the floor'. (Image: RSPCA)
RSPCA inspectors visited Kelly-Ann Frampton's Newcastle flat on July 21, 2025, and found Shih Tzu Blossom living in squalid conditions with a 20cm tumour described as "almost trailing on the floor". She later had to be euthanized.
Kevin Malpass and Charlene McGilligan, Consett
The conditions the cats were left in (Image: RSPCA)
Inspectors found five underweight, flea-ridden cats with skin disease at the couple’s home on November 5, 2025, despite both owners already being banned from keeping animals.
Kevin Malpass and Charlene McGilligan received lifetime bans on August 20, having previously been disqualified from keeping animals for 10 years in 2017.
Irene Pallent, Derek Lane and Stuart Pallent, Middlesbrough
Police discovered three neglected Jack Russell terriers at a Grangetown property in December 2024.
The dogs were suffering severe skin disease, fur loss and overgrown nails, with their elderly dog Sadie severely underweight and blind.
Irene was given a 17-week suspended prison sentence, and a 15-year ban from keeping animals. Partner Derek and son Stuart were each handed 16-week suspended sentences and banned for 10 years.
Thomas Buckworth, Middlesbrough
Maggie the puppy (Image: RSPCA)
On November 5, 2025, one-year-old Cavalier Spaniel Maggie was taken to a vet emaciated and dying, where vets found prolonged malnutrition, mites and pressure sores before she was euthanised to end her suffering.
On September 15, Thomas Buckworth, of Ormesby, received a ten-year ban on keeping animals and a 15-week suspended prison sentence.
David Allan Young, Darlington
David Allan Young has been banned from keeping dogs for two years after being caught repeatedly kicking and dragging his elderly dog, Milo. (Image: RSPCA)
Between February and June 2025, David Allan Young repeatedly kicked, dragged and shouted at his 19-year-old Patterdale terrier, Milo. Footage showed the elderly dog being kicked repeatedly and being dragged by the collar.
When taken to a vet, Milo was found to be blind and suffering from arthritis, cataracts, cancer and dental disease. He was later euthanised due to his age and extensive health conditions.
On September 16, Young was banned from keeping dogs for two years.
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John Bagnall, Consett
The RSPCA began investigating in October 2025 after reports that 16-year-old terrier Jake had been beaten.
A post-mortem found seven broken ribs at different stages of healing, pointing to repeated blows, and John Bagnall admitted causing unnecessary suffering.
He was handed a lifetime animal ban and a 24-week suspended prison sentence in September, after stating that he had dumped Jake’s body on wasteland so "foxes could eat it".