Bexleyheath man who neglected six dogs gets indefinite animal ban
A man who neglected six dogs at his South-east London home has been given an indefinite ban from keeping animals after a prosecution by an animal charity.
A dead Rhodesian Ridgeback, called Reggie, and two deceased Ridgeback puppies were discovered at Kris Kesson’s home when the RSPCA and police visited on February 28 2024.
Three other Ridgebacks, including the mother of the two puppies, were also found underweight at the property.
Kesson, 61, of Rydal Drive, Bexleyheath, pleaded guilty to four offences under the Animal Welfare Act and was sentenced at Woolwich Crown Court on April 22.
The defendant was also handed a 30-week prison sentence, which was suspended for 12 months, ordered to complete 10 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days and placed under an electronically-monitored curfew at his home for six months.
The court heard the dogs were living in dreadful conditions at Kesson’s home where carpets were left sodden with urine and faeces and there was a mice infestation. It was said that Kesson rarely took the dogs out of the property.
The vet report said: “The decline and death of the two puppies, the death of the adult dog and the decline of the other dogs presents to me a picture of neglect.
“I am in no doubt that without the intervention of the RSPCA the other dogs would have died alongside those that had already passed away.”
In mitigation, the court was told that Kesson suffers from mental health problems and memory issues. The defendant will not be able to appeal his ban for at least 10 years.
Alice recovered from her ordeal and has since been rehomed by the RSPCA.
Speaking after the sentencing, RSPCA Inspector Clive Hopwood said: “The degree of emaciation of these dogs would have been apparent to any owner and it was lucky we visited the defendant’s home when we did as the other dogs may have died at his home.”
Pictured top: Alice, who has since recovered from her ordeal and been rehomed by the RSPCA (Picture: RSPCA)
