Starved, Abandoned, and Covered in Filth — AJ the Bulldog Finally Finds the Love He Deserved
In Chesterfield, Derbyshire, a man has been convicted of animal cruelty after starving a young Old English bulldog named AJ to the point of near death.
Joseph Thomas Heald, born in April 1996, of Clarendon Road, Inkersall, was sentenced after pleading guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to AJ. The charges also implicated his former partner, Lauren Amy Brimelow, who had previously admitted to related offenses.
According to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA), the situation came to light after a concerned member of the public repeatedly noticed AJ’s deteriorating condition. The dog was seen wasting away, struggling to stand, and allegedly left outside constantly without proper food or care. The witness said they even offered to take the dog to a vet, but were refused.
RSPCA Animal Rescue Officer Sophie Taylor, accompanied by police, visited the property in March 2025. Inside the home, they found AJ shut in a filthy bathroom, surrounded by his own waste. His ribs, spine, and skull were painfully visible. He had almost no muscle on his hind legs and could barely move.
“The police officer who was with me said it was the worst case they had ever seen,” Taylor said. “It brought tears to their eyes.”
AJ was immediately removed from the home and taken to a veterinary clinic, where he was found to be emaciated and hypothermic, with a body temperature of just 33.7°C. His body condition was scored at 1 out of 9—the lowest possible. He had pressure sores on his limbs and showed signs of chronic malnutrition and suffering.
Veterinary experts concluded that AJ had endured physical and mental suffering for at least a month, and possibly as long as six months.
Despite the abuse, AJ has since made a remarkable recovery. He was nursed back to health and is now thriving in a loving forever home. “It was heartbreaking to find AJ like that,” Taylor said. “I wasn’t sure he’d make it—but now he’s loved, safe, and happy.”
In court, Heald was sentenced to 136 days in custody, suspended for 18 months. He must complete 200 hours of unpaid work, attend 10 days of rehabilitation, and pay £600 in costs and a £154 victim surcharge. He was also banned from owning animals for 15 years, until July 2040.
Brimelow previously received a 12-week suspended sentence and the same 15-year animal ban.
This case is another stark reminder of the importance of reporting suspected animal cruelty and taking action before it’s too late. Thanks to a caring neighbor and the tireless work of the RSPCA, AJ has been given the second chance every animal deserves.