Suspended jail sentence for Stafford pair who neglected emaciated dog

In a case brought by the RSPCA, Oliver Turiccki (DOB: 11/05/1997) and Sarah Pearce (DOB: 23/02/1992) both of Eccleshall Road, Stafford, pleaded guilty to an offence concerning their dog, King. 

The two-year-old dog was found by a vet to be emaciated, after the pair failed to provide him with a suitable diet.

Turiccki and Pearce were sentenced at North Staffordshire Magistrates Court on 12 August 2026. They were both given a 12-week custodial sentence, suspended for 12 months, and were both disqualified from owning all animals for 10 years.

Both must also attend 10 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days, and pay £504 each in costs.

The court heard that RSPCA Animal Rescue Officer Thomas Hall responded to welfare concerns regarding a bull terrier type dog at Pearce and Turiccki's address in Eccleshall Road on September 2, 2025. He was shown the dog and was immediately concerned.

In his witness statement, ARO Hall noted: "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."

ARO Hall took King to a local veterinary surgery, where, after examination, he was deemed to be at risk, leading to an officer from Staffordshire Police seizing King and placing him into the care of the RSPCA.  

When presented to the vet, King was found to have widespread muscle wastage and had a body condition score of one out of five - one being deemed emaciated. He was offered food and water, both of which he consumed immediately and without pausing until the bowls were empty (video available) and it was deemed that King had been affected for at least four weeks due to inadequate food. 

Oliver Turiccki claimed to RSPCA officers that King had lost weight rapidly over the prior three weeks and that he and Sarah Pearce had sought puppy supplements from the PDSA - but the RSPCA contacted three local vet practices and found King was not registered. 

Oliver Turiccki and Sarah Pearce later signed over ownership of King to the RSPCA.

After sentencing, ARO 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."