A 44-year-old chef from Holmfirth has received a suspended prison sentence and an indefinite ban on keeping animals after abandoning his dog in a freezing cellar for three weeks without food or water.
Ryan David Alfred Miller appeared before Kirklees Magistrates’ Court on Friday 9 October 2026 for sentencing following an investigation and prosecution conducted by the RSPCA under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
The court was told that Miller, who previously operated the Hungry Turtle street-food enterprise in Holmfirth, West Yorkshire, confined his American bully cross named Mabel in an unheated basement of a local property. The dog was left alone with only an old sofa cushion for bedding, with no provision made for food, water, or general care.
The animal was discovered by the building landlord in January 2026 in a state of advanced emaciation and acute dehydration. A subsequent veterinary examination revealed that Mabel’s body condition scored just one out of nine, with internal organs at imminent risk of complete shutdown. The examining veterinary surgeon concluded that the animal’s suffering was very high and that she would have died within days had the landlord not intervened. A behavioural assessment confirmed that the dog would have endured severe panic, distress, and fear during the prolonged period of confinement.
The court heard that Miller had previously been cautioned by the RSPCA about the legal requirement not to leave pets unattended for long periods. A probation report noted that Miller showed wilful neglect and demonstrated no consideration for the animal’s welfare.
Miller pleaded guilty to:
- Two offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 relating to unnecessary suffering and failure to ensure animal welfare
- Passing sentence on 9 October 2026, the magistrates handed Miller a 38-week custodial sentence, suspended for 12 months.
- Alongside the suspended sentence, the court ordered:
- Completion of 200 hours of unpaid community work
- An indefinite disqualification order banning him from owning, keeping, or participating in the keeping of animals
- Payment of £587 in court costs
- An order enabling the RSPCA to recover estimated veterinary and legal fees of approximately £3,000
Mabel was signed over into RSPCA care, made a full physical recovery, and has since been rehomed.
Image – Anonymous Artist Impression
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