A German Shepherd has died after being found severely underweight with a muzzle allegedly taped permanently to his face, while his owner has been banned from keeping animals.
Sparrow was discovered at the home of Joanne Falconer, 58, in South Shields, South Tyneside, with a plastic basket muzzle secured around his nose using silver duct tape and brown parcel tape around the back of his head.
The muzzle was reportedly kept on the dog around the clock and was removed only when he was being fed, South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court heard.
RSPCA inspector Rowena Proctor visited Falconer’s home on July 8, 2025, after receiving a report about the dog. She said Sparrow was extremely thin, with his ribs, spine and pelvis clearly visible.
An empty metal bowl was also found in the living room. The inspector said that even if food or water had been available, Sparrow would not have been able to reach it while wearing the muzzle without assistance.
A veterinary examination found that Sparrow had an assumed allergic skin disease and a secondary bacterial infection. He was also severely underweight, with a body condition score of just 3 out of 9.
The vet said the muzzle would have caused additional distress because Sparrow was unable to scratch his itchy skin.
The examination also found no obvious medical explanation for his low weight, leading to the conclusion that he had likely not been receiving enough food for at least a month, and possibly much longer.
Two Dehydrated Kittens Also Found
Falconer was also responsible for two kittens, Alpha and Beta, which were found at the property in poor conditions.
The kittens were severely dehydrated, covered in fleas and living in an extremely dirty environment. There was reportedly no food available for them, and both required treatment with intravenous fluids.
Neither kitten had been neutered, meaning they could have reproduced rapidly if they had remained together.
Police eventually removed Sparrow and the kittens under the Animal Welfare Act after a veterinary examination confirmed that the animals were suffering or were likely to suffer.
Falconer pleaded guilty to two animal welfare offences relating to Sparrow and the kittens.
Sparrow sadly could not be saved and was later put down.
Falconer was disqualified from keeping animals for five years on March 31. She was also fined £300, ordered to pay £300 in costs and given an £80 victim surcharge.
In mitigation, the court heard that Falconer had intended to care for the animals but lacked the ability to provide them with appropriate care.
The RSPCA has since been able to legally rehome Alpha and Beta after Falconer refused to sign the animals over during the investigation.
Why Proper Pet Care Matters
Dogs and cats rely entirely on their owners for food, clean water, veterinary treatment and safe living conditions. Regular health checks can identify problems such as infections, parasites, allergies, dehydration and unhealthy weight before they become life-threatening. Responsible pet ownership also means seeking professional veterinary advice when an animal is showing signs of illness or distress, rather than attempting to manage serious conditions without appropriate care.
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