Stafford couple spared jail after leaving their dog starving
King was found with every rib and bone protruding when an RSPCA officer visited
A couple from Stafford have been handed a suspended jail sentence after their dog was found starving.
Oliver Turiccki, 29, and Sarah Pearce, 34, both of Eccleshall Road, admitted failing to meet the needs of their two-year-old bull terrier type dog, King.
The case was brought by the RSPCA.
What happened
An RSPCA Animal Rescue Officer visited the couple's address on 2nd September 2025 after welfare concerns were raised about the dog.
He was immediately concerned when he was shown King.
In his witness statement, the officer said: "All of King's ribs, vertebrae and pelvis bones were protruding. His abdomen was tucked and his skull sunken. There was no obvious muscle mass or body fat visible. He had pressure wounds on his legs and pelvic area, and fur missing from his tail."
King was taken to a local vet, where he was deemed to be at risk.
An officer from Staffordshire Police then seized the dog and placed him into the care of the RSPCA.
At the vet, King was found to have widespread muscle wastage and a body condition score of one out of five, with one being the lowest and meaning severely underweight.
He was offered food and water, which he ate and drank without pausing until the bowls were empty.
The vet found King had been affected for at least four weeks due to inadequate food.
Turiccki told RSPCA officers that King had lost weight rapidly over the previous three weeks, and that the pair had sought puppy supplements from the PDSA.
However, the RSPCA contacted three local vet practices and found King was not registered at any of them.
Turiccki and Pearce later signed King over to the RSPCA.
The sentence
The pair were sentenced at North Stafford Magistrates' Court on 12th August 2026.
Both were given a 12-week custodial sentence, suspended for 12 months, and were disqualified from owning all animals for 10 years.
They must each also complete 10 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days and pay £504 in costs.
'Poor King had been really let down'
After sentencing, RSPCA Animal Rescue Officer Thomas Hall said: "This was a really frustrating and sad case as poor King had been really let down by his owners.
"He gained weight in just a few weeks after being rescued, and I'm delighted that we found him a loving new home last year, just in time for Christmas."