Dog walker kept animals in 'filthy' conditions

AN ANIMAL charity boss has spoken of her shock following the RSPCA prosecution of as dog trainer who kept 11 animals in filth.

- By SUE KIRBY

Hannah Critchlow was banned from keeping animals for 12 months after the RSPCA found the dogs in 'deplorable' condition described by an inspector as some of the worst she had ever seen.

The 30-year-old was well known in dog rescue circles, having worked for the Coxhoe-based charity Stray Aid a number of years ago, and has since been running a business dog walking, training and behaviour services.

Jane Galliford, who runs Maxi's Mates Rescue and Rehoming Centre in Dunsdale, Redcar and Cleveland, said she couldn't believe it when she read the news and saw the photos of the horrendous conditions Critchlow and the dogs were living in.

She said in 2023 staff at the rehoming centre were struggling with the behaviour of a Belgian Malinois called Bruce, who staff and volunteers were having problems with.

Jane said: "Hannah was very knowledgeable about malinois. She would come and walk him with her own dogs for us, he would always come back a lot calmer. She really had a way with dogs, she was amazing with Bruce."