Kerry Patterson, 35, and Reece Milburn, 30, initially claimed to have found Tiggy abandoned on the roadside and reported her to the local council. However, when an animal protection officer arrived at their residence in Blyth, Northumberland, they were confronted with the worst case of neglect in their 15 years of service.

Tiggy’s condition was heartbreaking—she was almost completely devoid of fur, her ribs visible through her emaciated body. Dehydrated, covered in rashes, and infested with mites, she was so weak that she couldn’t even stand.

Discovered just days before Christmas in 2019, Tiggy’s devastating photographs quickly went viral, leading Northumberland County Council to appeal for information about her owners. Several days later, the council received numerous letters identifying Patterson and Milburn as the owners.

On Thursday, March 3, the couple appeared in court and pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a protected species, Tiggy, as well as neglecting their other dog, Enzo, a Staffordshire Bull Terrier suffering from a skin condition and mite infestation.

As a result, Patterson and Milburn were sentenced to 12 weeks in prison and were prohibited from owning or caring for animals for life. Additionally, they were each ordered to pay a victim fee of £120.

According to a spokesperson from the council, Philip Soderquest, this case stands as one of the most appalling and widely known instances of animal cruelty the county has ever witnessed. The council’s animal welfare team worked tirelessly to investigate and bring the perpetrators to justice.

Finally, after two long years, justice was served. Tiggy’s story, however tragic, found a glimmer of hope through the efforts of the team at Berwick Animal Rescue Centre. Tiggy, now known by a new name, has fully recovered and found a loving home with new dog companions.

Meanwhile, Enzo, the couple’s other dog, still awaits a permanent home in kennels, hoping for a fresh start and a brighter future.