Lifelong animal ban for owner who left dogs to starve
Four French bulldogs were abandoned in shocking conditions
Last updated 24th Oct 2025
A man who allowed his dogs to starve after abandoning them in a squalid home has been banned from keeping animals for life.
Nicolas Bailey Parker, 34, of Cromwell Road, Neithrop, Banbury, pleaded guilty to an animal welfare offence, following an investigation and prosecution by the RSPCA.
RSPCA Inspector Jim Farr, who investigated for the animal welfare charity, visited the address in June last year alongside police and the housing association.
Two live dogs and the body of a dead dog had been removed on 14 June by police who had with concerns the bodies of other dogs may still be inside the filthy and cluttered property.
Once inside, Inspector Farr discovered the decomposing body of a dead dog in one of the rooms.
He said: “Prior to entry we all accessed the back garden which was unkempt and cluttered with discarded personal items and rubbish. A shed to the bottom of the garden was full of discarded rubbish.
“Looking through the back kitchen window and the back patio door we could see that the property was in a filthy state. It appeared that the ceilings for these rooms had come down. There was growth of what appeared to be mould on both of the interior kitchen and patio door windows.
“Inside the downstairs was extremely filthy with a build-up of rubbish. The growth of mould on some of the walls was extensive. My movement was restricted due to the chaotic placement of rubbish and personal items .
“Upstairs, the floor was also filthy and cluttered with all sorts of personal items and rubbish. Faeces could be seen in the majority of the rooms.
“Inside one of the rooms, I sadly found the body of a male French bulldog crossbred dog.”
The bodies of the deceased dogs, Luther and Piper, were examined by a vet. Post mortem examination revealed them to be in emaciated condition.
The two surviving dogs, Peach and Finger, gained weight and condition in RSPCA care and have since been rehomed.
Alongside the ban, which he can not appeal to be lifted for 15 years, he was sentenced to seven months custody, suspended for 15 months, 100 hours unpaid work and up to 30 days rehabilitation activity requirement days when he was sentenced at Exeter Crown Court on 13 October.
In sentencing, Judge James Patrick said: “This is one of the most extraordinary cases I’ve ever had to deal with. Extraordinary because of the suffering sustained by four animals that were your responsibility; also because of the life experiences that you yourself have suffered. As a child you discovered your father dead; as a young adult your mother died, your brother soon afterwards; that combination of trauma has created a shadow over your life.”
Parker was said to have been struggling with care responsibilities while his partner was unwell at the time of the neglect and had left the dogs behind when he moved out.
The judge added: “This was prolonged neglect, and there was a deliberate disregard for the welfare of the animal. Aggravated because there was not one animal, but four, and death resulted in two, and life threatening injuries were caused to the other two.”