Warning, images attached that some may find distressing.*
The owner of a dog taken by police in June, 2025, has spoken out about what really happened.
For six weeks the owner, who wishes to remain anonymous due to the “disgraceful behaviour of neighbours over ten years” worsening again, was an inpatient in an NHS hospital.
During the time, a local dog walker had been employed and had agreed to ensure the needs of all of the animals were met.
Evidence disclosed to us shows regular contact with the dog walker to ensure that all was ok, and even offering the dog walker another person to assist him, which was declined, replying that he was coping. The conversations were discussed at the time with another patient, who became, in what the owner thought of and the lady said was, a friend.
Once discharged from hospital, home carers from a CQC-registered provider were arranged to attend the property four times per day.
Unfortunately, the sight that was met when finally returning home was “horrifying”.
The owner said, “I was crying at what I got home to; it was a health hazard, and carers couldn’t enter due to all of the faeces that was all over the floor, in the sink and in the bath. All of it was dried on, so it was obvious that it had happened over several weeks.
“A carer turned up, and I cried. When he looked inside, he was shocked with what he saw.
“My social worker had to calm me down as I was on the phone in tears over what I’d arrived home to. An ambulance crew took me into hospital so there was proof that the house was clean and tidy before the dog walker was in charge.
“I couldn’t believe a well-thought-of local dog walker that I thought I could trust, who knew how much I love my pets, allowed them to live as he had.
“There were several times my CCTV captured him tying other people’s dogs to my fence inside my drive, all whilst their owners thought that he was walking them. I did send him text messages referring to this, as he couldn’t see them for the 15 to 20 minutes that he was in my property.”
Carers had been attending four times every day, as had other professionals who had spent some time within the property, none raising any concerns.
“He [the dog walker] claimed that he didn’t know about the large amount of faeces and mess, but that’s impossible, as he will have had to step over it all when he came in to feed, water and let them out to the toilet, which he clearly didn’t do. No one believes him.”
North Yorkshire Police attended on Tuesday, June 17, after the owner contacted the police due to men climbing a 6-foot fence and watching the owner in their bathroom and a male standing outside shouting.
Upon police attending, one male officer took the lead, quickly appearing aggressive and not interested in the behaviour, deemed by other professionals as harassing and inappropriate.
Without ascertaining any facts, the male response constable jumped a 6-foot gate, without giving any reason, only creating a reason after jumping it: “I think he wanted to justify his poor behaviour. Even my social worker was shocked with how the police behaved.
The encounters, which were all captured on closed-circuit television, have been shared with us and organisations including the council.
When a social worker from North Yorkshire County Council asked to speak with the constable, he shouted that “I haven’t got time to speak to her” in an aggressive way.
The constable continued with his aggressive manner, shouting about how it was all over social media.
The North Yorkshire Police constable showed no care or interest in the condition he had allowed the animals to live in, nor that he hadn’t contacted the owner to inform them of what he had found.
The owner said, “He said to me, with my social worker hearing, that the RSPCA was involved, but I’ve spoken with them, with social services present, and they said that it had nothing to do with them. The RSPCA have been fantastic and a great support. Whilst social services was with me, an RSPCA inspector said that she had no concerns about anything and didn’t want to return. They’ve been very supportive.“
The female, who told the owner that she was a friend, spoke with the owner, listening to the house being cleaned and the faeces being scraped off.
Messages show that the female said that there was nothing to be concerned about and was unsure as to why the neighbour had been spreading lies and manipulations on social media, showing and saying only what they wanted in order to gain the response wanted.
She said to the owner that things said on social media are often gossip and about how damaging the press can be.
A solicitor was employed by the owner, who contacted the constable each week. Unfortunately, the constable didn’t engage with the solicitor, instead opting to attend their home each week and sending his colleagues each week. The constable was aware of the solicitor, as he had telephoned their office on a Sunday; however, he then didn’t correspond with the solicitor firm.
One evening that two constables attended, it can be heard on CCTV the lifeline pendant speaker calling the person’s name and not gaining a response.
Listening to the CCTV, it can be heard that “help was being arranged” due to not receiving any reply.
At this point, it can be seen that the two male police constables look at each other and leave.
During the beginning of August, a letter was sent by North Yorkshire Police to the owner stating that the dog could be returned to them.
Everything was “put into place for him to come home”; however, an emergency hospital admission has prevented it, as my health has got worse.
Social services have supported the returning of the dog to the owner and have communicated with the police themselves.
The owner said, “We are in an unfortunate world, as people believe all that is on the internet. People are quick to comment and judge from behind a keyboard without actually knowing facts.
“I had many professionals in several times every day, and all of them have stated that they had no concerns, that the dog had shelter, water, no faeces so was clearly getting exercise, had food, was in good condition, and whilst they were visiting was in a good-sized crate that allowed sitting up with headroom and lying down, which had been approved by the RSPCA.
“They’ve all been shocked at the behaviour of the neighbours and that of people on social media who jump to gossip and don’t ask questions to get further information. It’s trial and execution by social media, and it’s why so many people have mental health issues and sadly even commit suicide due to bullies hiding behind screens.
“Three of the neighbours have received official notices from the police about their abusive behaviour towards me, including residents on Birch Avenue, and several have been spoken to by the police and Yorkshire Housing.
“People need to focus on their own lives and realise that they are far from perfect, and instead of being nasty and judging others, focus their time more on doing something good in life.”
“The neighbours are so bad that I can’t even have a delivery without them watching the entire time, and two have told my carers that I was in hospital when I wasn’t.
“I just wish that they’d finally get on with their own lives.
“The police, RSPCA, and North Yorkshire Council have all seen the photos of what the dog walker allowed during the six weeks in his care. If he couldn’t cope, then he had a chance to say so but didn’t. He’s let my animals out, and those he was walking that CCTV shows he tied up when he was supposed to be and was being paid to walk them. It’s disgusting, and he absolutely knew how he was letting them live, as he had to see it all when opening the door, as the rooms could be seen from the entrance.
“No true animal lover behaves how social media has, as they have restraint. No true animal lover manipulates the truth, lies and has a hate campaign against someone by taking it to social media and not telling the truth, that they didn’t see 24 hours and didn’t know the full story.
“Real animal lovers act with integrity and do the correct thing, which doesn’t involve running to social media; it involves the correct channels, such as the RSPCA, who are the professionals solely for animal welfare.
“The RSPCA inspector told me in front of social services that they told the police that they’ve never had any concerns. Every time, they tell me to report to the police as harassment, but I’ve no faith in North Yorkshire Police. This situation proves how they jump to gossip and rumours without gaining any facts and how they get things wrong and act unprofessionally.
“Katie from Teesside Law, Yorkshire Housing, RSPCA, carers and social services have all been fantastic during all of this hell, and I thank them all for their support.”
Independent News UK has contacted the RSPCA, North Yorkshire County Council and Teesside Law for comment.
Photographs show the condition the owner arrived home to after spending six weeks in hospital, during which the much-loved pets were under the care of a local dog walker.