'My dogs starved to death because I was threatened'
A DEPRESSED pet owner let his two dogs starve to death because he was scared to go home after being threatened, a court heard.
James Cooksley, 31, left Rottweiler Tyson and collie Lilly without food or water for six weeks alone in a house in Bedminster.
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Having "gone to pieces" following a number of personal problems, the pets were the last thing on the pub relief manager's mind, Bristol magistrates were told yesterday.
Prosecuting, Kevin Withey said a neighbour who was investigating a foul smell at the back of Cooksley's former home in Wedmore Vale earlier this year found the carcass of a dead dog in a large green rucksack.
An RSPCA inspector came and found not only was there a dead Rottweiler with blood around its nose, but also a black and white Collie in another part of the bag. Both were adult, emaciated, with bones and joints visible through their fur and were examined by an RSPCA vet.
Mr Withey said: "The conclusions of the vet were these – that both of these animals had been deprived of regular food and water and as a consequence of that, both of them had starved to death."
He said the vet also concluded they would have suffered for "many days" and that the tragedy was avoidable.
Cooksley, of no fixed address, admitted failing to provide the two dogs with a "nutritionally-balanced diet" suitable for their needs, between December 1 last year and March 8 this year, which led to their deaths.
John Roberts, representing Cooksley, described the case as "extremely disturbing" and "tragic".
He told the court that in August last year Cooksley came home to find his partner of ten years Victoria had left him, and taken their six-year-old son with her.
He was also having financial problems at the time and his mum had to have her legs amputated because of illness, Mr Roberts added.
The court heard that he was confronted by suspected criminals, and in the following weeks was burgled and received death threats.
Fearing for his safety, Cooksley did not go back to the house in Bedminster, preferring to stay at the pub, Mr Roberts said.
He and his partner had the pets for more than two years and a neighbour had given a statement saying they had always looked after them well, the court was told.
"This was not someone who had a history of mistreating his animals," Mr Roberts said. "He shows great remorse"
The case was adjourned for pre-sentence reports to be carried out.
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by Ben, Weston
Tuesday, September 14 2010, 10:35PM
“This story makes me sick I couldn't believe what I was reading.
@ Lisa being family you no more about what was happening than some of the people on here, the dogs deserve justice and hope they will get it.”
by local girl, Bristol
Monday, September 06 2010, 12:34PM
“one thing i was always told when a dog dies riggamortis sets in after no more then a hour so how did they get in the bag if they where found dead ???? it must be impossible to find two different size dogs still intact. the collie would of went first through this and if the rottweiler was hungry he would do what his instincts told him like any wiled animal and started to eat her ??? so many questions...the story don't make sense”
by karen mills, Merseyside
Sunday, September 05 2010, 10:02PM
“have I read this right? that the dogs were left for 6 weeks with no food or water. so they both jumped inside a bag and died??? give me a break.”
by lou, Bristol
Friday, September 03 2010, 11:50PM
“totally right Janet if the dogs where looked after well until Victoria left it shows his history of looking after animals is not a factor in the case as it shows she was the sole carer of the animals ,so hence when she left his true colors came out”
by Petlover1, Bristol
Friday, September 03 2010, 6:36PM
“I don't know y nick is being blamed, I knew James and vic for the last 13years and I was very shocked and sickens when I'd heard what had happend, why are people so quick to blame others when they clearly don't know the people involved? Nick can I have the lotto winning numbers for tomorro please as you can obviously see into the future eh!”
by Rigsby, St George
Friday, September 03 2010, 4:34PM
“@ The people having a go at Nick.
You guys have no clue. How do you know he didn't check up on him regularly just because he didn't toward the death. As has been stated, this is two years down the line. Dog breeders/rescue charities can not continually check up for the life of said animal otherwise they would have no time to actually breed dogs/rescue them.
Nick may well have done plenty of checking before and during the first year or so but as the neighbours have said the dog was well looked after it sounds more like the person involved just changed as people do.
The man responsible is the man in the story, don't go blaming the person who provided the dog as they may well be a lot more of a responsible person than a lot of you are making out.
I got my dog from a very well respected local dog charity and as far as checking on the dog, they have not bothered, I have kept them up to date by email though. So even the places that are supposed to give even more care and attention to their welfare don't bother to the extent you are all saying.”
by lou, Bristol
Friday, September 03 2010, 4:30PM
“nick did check on the dogs regularly he worked with james for years. it was the wife who took good care of the dogs so when she left the dogs where unable to go with her hence him having them .nick was told before Christmas the dogs had been re-homed.”
by Wiggy, Briz
Friday, September 03 2010, 3:46PM
“@ Nick, you let a twenty something bloke with a young child who you clearly don't know take possesion of a ROTTWEILER which is then starved to death by that owner yet you feel its not your fault.The breeder I bought my dog from insisited on visiting my house and regularly checked on the well being of the dog. DID YOU????? We are talking Rottweiler here !!! Rob has a point I'm afraid.”
by rob, Ashton
Friday, September 03 2010, 3:28PM
“@ Nick ,I'm sure you did a home visit and regularly checked up on the animal,and besides someone in their twenties with a young child who works in pubs sounds like an ideal owner for a Rottweiler!!!! ..........Or did you just count his money???? This country is overloaded with unwanted dogs because greddy breeders want cash and scum like cooksley who plainly can't look after themselves end up with a potential lethal weapon.Dog breeders should be licensed and controlled, Sorry Nick you might think of yourself as a responsible person but you clearly made a bad judgement here and you must shoulder some of the blame,it wasn't a gold fish was it?????”
by Animal lover, Kingswood
Friday, September 03 2010, 2:47PM
“This is a very, very sad story. Those poor dogs, there is no excuse what-so-ever for this. He could have arranged for someone to collect the dogs or call the RSPCA.
And how did they end up in a bag. This makes my blood boil.
Nick, Yate - it's absolutely ridiculous to put any blame on you. As you said - how would you know this would happen two years down the line. - I feel for you mate, it must feel horrible to have been one of your pups.
I hope to god that this scum bag gets what he deserved. Though knowing our justice system, I doubt it very much!”