10/06/2026
Local !!!!
CONVICTED | Sherry Skillen, 62, from , , - denied her elderly dog even basic care for months and left him dehydrated and in excruciating pain.
Skillen admitted animal cruelty offences in relation to her 14-year-old poodle cross, Merlin, who had to be euthanised for welfare reasons.
The court heard rescue volunteers from Aireworth Dogs in Need - Registered Charity No. 1162052 visited Skillenâs home on June 29, 2025, after unsuccessful attempts to make contact.
Skillen answered the door but refused access.
Merlin was at the bottom of the stairs and had not moved for a couple of days. When he was provided with water, he lifted his head and drank for several minutes.
The stricken pet was taken to the vets where he collapsed. He had to be carried to the clinic because he âcouldnât stand or walkâ.
Merlinâs entire coat was heavily matted, covered in dirt and faeces, and he was infested with fleas. He was dehydrated and blind, his eyes having peeled away from the sockets. He also had a lesion to the neck and anaemia.
It took four hours to remove Merlinâs matted hair. He had to be sedated during the process, and staff had to wear full PPE because âfleas were jumping on themâ.
A vet said it was one of the worst cases of matting she had seen in her career.
She added that Merlin had suffered physically and mentally for months, âlikely longerâ.
He was euthanised on âwelfare groundsâ the following day.
He had not been seen by a vet for more than a decade, since 2015.
Skillen, a heavy smoker, claimed she âcouldnât afford vet treatment but accepted she could have prioritised Merlinâ.
Ms Freeman said the offence was aggravated by the neglect being âprolongedâ and the suffering âextreme and all encompassingâ.
She added that Skillen âshould have prioritised Merlin and vet treatment should have been soughtâ.
Sentencing | 40-week jail sentence, suspended for a year. Disqualified from having any animal for life.
https://ukanimalcrueltyfiles.org/keighley-city-of-bradford-sherry-skillen/
https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/26175239.bradford-woman-banned-keeping-animals-life/
