CONVICTED (2023) | Paul Comer, born c. 1967, of 5 St Hilda Close, Dereham NR19 2EH – allowed his pet rabbit to become so poorly he had to be put to sleep.
Heartless Paul Comer said that Bugsy was “out of sight and was an unwanted responsibility he had acquired”
Comer pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a male lop-eared rabbit called Bugsy in that he failed to provide adequate professional veterinary care and attention for his eye infection and failed to meet his welfare needs.
Bugsy had been kept on the bottom level only of a two-tier hutch. The housing was inadequate with no bedding and was also filthy with layers of excrement.
No hay, grass or fresh food was available for the rabbit.
A vet who examined Bugsy said in their report: “In my opinion the rabbit was suffering a great deal of pain and discomfort. This suffering could have been prevented by adequate attention and appropriate veterinary treatment.
“Moreover, the rabbit had also been caused to suffer mentally and physically due to extremely poor husbandry with its needs not being met to the extent required by good practice (inadequate diet, in particular lack of dietary fibre), lack of space to move and to express normal behaviour, as well as lack of company of its own kind (as he was kept as a solitary animal which is not appropriate for a species that is gregarious).“
Sadly, the vet took the difficult decision to euthanise Bugsy due to his poor condition.
Speaking about the case, investigating RSPCA Inspector Emily Astillberry said: “In 18 years as an RSPCA Inspector, I have never seen a rabbit with so many obvious health problems that was still alive. He didn’t stand quite upright, his head was tilted to the right so that his right ear was touching the table, with the tip of the left ear a couple of inches off the table.
“The right eye was covered with a thick, white/yellow coloured discharge that smelled of infection and when we gently cleaned it away, the eye underneath was swollen, pink and looked extremely sore.
“All over the back of the rabbit, the fur was matted and underneath and around the back, there was a huge area of matted faeces covering his bottom and tummy towards the back.
“His ears felt firm and were tender to touch. We put him on the floor and he tried to walk across the room. He was unable to walk properly, dragging his back legs along as they slipped underneath him when he took a step. Sadly this is a case of neglect to a helpless animal who was left forgotten in awful conditions.”
In mitigation the court heard Comer had been reluctantly left with the rabbit. He said he had sought to provide his own treatment for the eye infection which had appeared to clear up. He said the rabbit had been out of sight and was an unwanted responsibility he had acquired.
Sentencing | fined £916 and ordered to pay costs of £300 plus victim surcharge. Disqualified for five years from keeping small caged animals including rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils, chinchillas, mice, rats, ferrets, degus, birds, fish, reptiles and amphibians (expires March 2028).
CONVICTED (2023) | hoarders Neil Hamilton, born c. 1965, and Elaine Patricia Hamilton, born c. 1981, of Front Street, Pity Me, Durham DH1 – neglected the six dogs in their care.
Beau was skeletal with his hips, spine and ribs visible through his fur
Married couple Neil and Elaine Hamilton were convicted of neglecting their six pet dogs named Ozzy, Oscar, Megan, Beau, Lexi and Bella following an RSPCA prosecution.
When RSPCA inspector Lucy Green arrived at the pair’s home in October 2022 she found all of their dogs were in a neglected state.
In her witness statement, inspector Green said: “Lexi, a tan coloured female chihuahua type dog was lean,
“Beau, a white crossbreed type dog was very thin – his hips, spine and ribs were easily visible. He was lying on a sofa before standing up and vomiting onto the floor.
“Bella, a black and white female lurcher type, was underweight with hips, ribs and spine visible.
Megan
“Megan, a tri coloured terrier type dog, was also very thin. She was long haired but her spine, ribs and hips could easily be felt.
Oscar
“Oscar, a black and white male crossbreed type dog was also underweight with his hips, ribs and spine easily visible and Ozzy a black and white male lurcher type dog was a little underweight with ribs hips and spine visible.
“While in the property Bella put her two front paws in a large empty bowl on the floor. Neil Hamilton went to fill the bowl with water and when he placed it on the floor Bella, Megan, Oscar and Ozzy all drank from the bowl immediately.
“Lexi was hiding under the table and Beau was still lying on the sofa”.
The dogs were taken to a vet for examination who confirmed Beau, Bella and Megan were in a suffering state and Lexi, Oscar and Ozzy would be caused to suffer if their circumstances did not change.
Beau was diagnosed as suffering from a gastrointestinal disease as he had diarrhoea. He was emaciated with a loss of muscle mass.
The vet gave him a body condition score of one out of nine. At 5.5kg he weighed half of what a dog of his breed would be expected to weigh.
Bella, Ozzy and Oscar | Source: Elaine Hamilton – Facebook
Ozzy had suffered a leg fracture after being hit by a car, but the Hamiltons took him to a cat-only clinic and failed to seek follow-up treatment.
Bella had a fever while Megan was malnourished with overgrown nails and severe dental disease.
The RSPCA said that none of the dogs had been given adequate nutrition, fresh clean drinking water or necessary vet treatment.
The court heard in mitigation that the couple had a lack of money.
Healthy again: all six dogs have recovered from their ordeal in the care of the RSPCA
Following the sentencing hearing, Inspector Green said: “All of Mr and Mrs Hamilton’s dogs were underweight ranging from lean to, as stated by the vet, emaciation. Reasonable owners should have noticed this and taken the dogs to a vet to address the issues.
“Our plea to all animal owners is to make sure they always receive care and treatment from veterinary experts when they need it.
“If people are struggling to cover the costs, there are a number of charities which provide help for veterinary care for pet owners in genuine financial difficulties.
“People can also work with their vet to spread the cost of treatment.”
Sentencing | Neil Hamilton was fined £300, and must pay £75 costs and a £120 victim surcharge. Elaine Hamilton was fined £125 and told to pay £175 costs and £48 victim surcharge. They were both banned from owning animals for 10 years (expires March 2033).
CONVICTED (2023) | serial animal abuser and owner of a notorious “horror farm’ Sean Ronald Burns, born 15/08/1970, of Rosehill Lodge, Bramble Hall Farm, Ferry Lane, Pembroke SA71 4RG – breached an indefinite ban imposed for cruelty to 200 animals and the operation of an illegal slaughterhouse.
Menace Sean Burns, pictured during his court appearance in 2020, has subjected countless farm animals and domestic pets to appalling living conditions and shocking prolonged neglect
Police and officials from Pembrokeshire County Council visited Bramble Hall Farm on February 7, 2022, and discovered 12 dogs, two love birds and a tortoise on the premises. Living conditions were grim and three of the animals were seriously ill.
Two rooms housing dogs were full of faeces and the animals’ bedding was soaked in urine.
Three of the dogs needed immediate veterinary attention. A small Jack Russell puppy had lacerations and was lethargic and recumbent. The puppy was given antibiotics and put on a drip at a local vet.
A female Yorkshire terrier had long-standing dental neglect and a fracture to her jaw while a male French bulldog had chronic skin disease.
The tortoise was also found to be without adequate bedding and had no greens.
More than 200 animals, including goats, pigs sheep and horses were removed from Bramble Hall Farm in 2019 in an operation involving police, Pembrokeshire County Council, Dogs Trust and the RSPCA.
The following September Burns was made the subject of a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, for his part in the production of smokies at the farm.
The court heard how Burns had initially denied breaching the ban, stating that he had nothing to do with the running of the farm.
However, on the day of trial he changed his plea to guilty on the basis that he had become involved in the day to day ‘care’ of the animals due to his mother Pam Burns’ ill health. He said he accepted that he should have notified the authorities of this.
In his defence it was said that the animals were at the home address and that Burns had become involved with them due to his mother’s health issues.
There had been no further offending since the end of the suspended sentence and that many of the animals seized last year were not in poor health.
Burns appeared in court in a wheelchair and his defence solicitor said that he was on a number of medications for health conditions.
Judge His Honour PH Thomas KC said that there were aggravating factors in the case, namely that Burns had convictions for ‘broadly similar matters’ in January 2018, September and October 2019 and January 2020. Burns had also received warnings and professional advice on these matters in the past.
He said that he had taken on board arguments about Burn’s health. However, he said that he had some scepticism as no medical evidence had been produced.
Sentencing | eight months in prison, four of which will be spent in custody, the other four on licence. Existing disqualification order redrafted to include ‘owning, keeping, participating in the keeping or being party to arrangements with animals to control or influence their keeping’. Burns may appeal after ten years.
CONVICTED (2023)| professional dog walker Pamela Fisher, born c. 1963, of Chaloners Road, Dringhouses, York YO24 2TN – caused the death of a dog by leaving him in her van during a heatwave.
Fisher pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering in relation to a cocker spaniel called Teddy, who died of heatstroke while in her care.
RSPCA prosecutor Phil Brown told the court that Fisher was “grossly negligent in her duty of care to Teddy. As a result of her negligence, unfortunately, the dog suffered and subsequently died.
“We cannot say how much the suffering was. It was extreme, though for a short time we hope.”
According to the Met Office, temperatures in the shade reached 33C in York that day.
Mr Brown said Teddy’s owner arranged for Fisher to collect the dog, walk him and return him home while she was at work on August 11, 2022.
But when she arrived home at 6.10pm, there was no sign of the dog.
She rang Fisher who confirmed she had taken Teddy with other dogs for a walk.
But when she took the other dogs back to their owners, “she had simply forgotten to take Teddy back. Teddy was left inside her van. She carried on with the rest of her day,” said Mr Brown. That had included going to her hairdressers.
By the time she realised her mistake it was too late.
The dog’s owner called in the RSPCA.
Interviewed by an RSPCA inspector, Fisher said she had a standard order for delivering the four dogs she walked that day to their homes. On that day, for some reason, the order was changed, which led to her forgetting to deliver Teddy.
She had run her dog walking business for seven and a half years but had now closed it for good.
A vet statement said: “It is my opinion that the likely cause of Teddy’s death was heat stroke. Dogs can develop heat stroke and die within an hour in hot weather. It is unknown how long and how quickly Teddy died. It is likely that Teddy will have suffered.”
Fisher’s lawyer handed in testimonials and other documents which led the judge to declare Fisher had an “impeccable” character. She had no previous convictions.
Mr Brown said the RSPCA had no concerns about the way Fisher looked after her own two dogs.
Speaking after the sentencing, RSPCA Inspector Claire Mitchell said: “Fisher had confirmed that she’d forgotten to drop Teddy off back at his owner’s and he’d been in the back of the van for five hours. The temperature that day was 30c.
“We hope this tragic case reminds people that the risk to the lives of animals is so high. Our message is simple: never leave a dog in a hot car – ‘not long’ is too long, and if you see a dog in a hot car, call 999 immediately.”
Sentencing | 12-month community order with 15-day rehabilitation activity requirement; £400 prosecution costs and £114 victim surcharge. Banned from transporting or dealing with dogs commercially for three years (expires March 2026).
CONVICTED (2023) | backyard breeder Kyle Stephen Moore, born c. 2003, of Oldfield Road, Ellesmere Port CH65 8DE – left a French bulldog puppy to starve to death in a filthy flat strewn with rubbish.
Ellesmere Port teenager Kyle Moore let a French bulldog starve to death after ‘forgetting’ to feed her
Eight-month-old French bulldog Coco slowly starved to death over three months after being abandoned by Kyle Moore. The callous teenager had been paid to look after the puppy by his sister, Leanne Griffiths, after she and boyfriend Jon Brookshaw, moved out to set up home elsewhere. . Backyard breeders Griffiths and Brookshaw were also prosecuted in relation to Coco’s death and sentenced in January 2023.
Heartbreaking photos show French bulldog puppy Coco lying dead in a filthy flat after she was starved to death by a family-run group of backyard breeders
Moore watched as she became thinner and thinner while ‘forgetting’ to feed, water and walk her until she eventually died alone and in pain.
Her skeletal remains were discovered alongside children’s toys and piles of rubbish by agents acting for the landlords of the flat in Birkenhead, Wirral, following complaints from neighbours about the smell.
Leanne Griffiths was later traced to her new home.
It emerged that she and Brookshaw had taken on Coco for breeding purposes, but when Griffiths moved out in March 2022 she refused to take the dog to their new home due to the puppy not being toilet trained.
The flat was described as being in a terrible state, with dog faeces on the floor and no sign of any food or water for the dog.
RSPCA prosecutor Peter Mitchell said that police were called to a flat on Dorset Gardens on Old Chester Road in Birkenhead on May 12, 2022, following a request by the landlord Magenta Housing.
‘They were due to carry out an eviction on this premises,’ Mr Mitchell said. ‘There was a strong smell and numerous flies coming from the flat.
‘They entered the property whose registered occupant was Leanne Griffiths, who is the defendant’s sister. There was no person present. However, it was discovered that there was a dog dead in the premises, a black and tan bulldog type dog.
‘The police officer stated that the flat was in a terrible state, with dog faeces on the floor and no sign of any food or water for the dog. The RSPCA was contacted and Inspector Anthony Joynes attended the same day.
‘He was overwhelmed by the smell of decomposition, faeces and urine. He saw the dead dog on the floor.
‘There was faeces over every floor of the flat. There were multiple piles of dried diarrhoea. There were food and water bowls on the kitchen floor, empty and dry.
‘There was no food found on the premises. He did discover post pertaining to Leanne Griffiths and Jonathan Brookshaw, her fiance. He made enquiries and discovered the dog’s name was Coco, originally owned by another person but ownership was transferred to Miss Griffiths.’
When questioned, Griffiths said: ‘We’ve been struggling yeah. I was there three or four days ago, she was skinny but she was alive. She couldn’t come with us because she was shitting and pissing everywhere.’
Griffiths said she had been given the dog on breeding terms months earlier but did not bring Coco to her new home as they claimed the puppy would be attacked by their other dog, Molly.
Dog killers and backyard breeders Jon Brookshaw and Leanne Griffiths from Birkenhead, Wirral, Merseyside. Pic Facebook
She admitted she had visited Dorset Gardens since moving, saw water and biscuits but agreed the ‘place was a shithole’. She said she had last seen the puppy alive about three to four days previously and that she was ‘skinny but alive’.
She added that she thought her brother was caring for Coco.
Moore said he was going about two times per week to feed Coco, believing that his sister was going as well. He admitted he forgot to feed Coco ‘quite often’.
Mr Mitchell added: ‘He accepted that there were days quite often missed when the dog was not seen at all. He recognised that the dog was getting thin and on one occasion was barely alive and needed feeding. He noted that Coco had been losing weight for about three months.’
A vet’s report said Coco, who weighed just 4.6kg, had been suffering from hunger and starvation for a period of several months prior to her death.
‘She will also have experienced periods of time where she had no access to water and will have suffered from dehydration,’ the report said.
‘The environment in which Coco was housed was totally inadequate for her as it was not clean and sanitary, nor did it provide her with a clean, dry, comfortable and safe place to rest.
‘Of more concern than the poor environment is the complete lack of socialisation and companionship provided to Coco who was spending up to a week at a time with no interaction or social activity at all.
‘It is my expert opinion that Coco was caused to suffer from hunger, weakness and lethargy over a prolonged period of time as a result of the intermittent starvation and dehydration that she was enduring from the failure to provide her with an adequate and sufficient diet on a daily basis.’
The court heard that Kyle Moore knew the animal was “barely alive” but believed it was not his responsibility
In mitigation for Moore, who lived with his mother, defence lawyer Laura Flynn said her client was on the autism spectrum, adding: ‘He is really sorry in his way that the dog died but that ability to demonstrate the appropriate remorse and demonstrate an appropriate sadness was completely lost on the probation services. It is not a criticism but it is because they do not know him.
‘Anyone who is a dog lover is going to be offended by these offences, it’s as simple as that. I did not want you to think that this is someone who was completely careless. It is not that. There are fundamental issues here.
‘The fact that his sister has given the dog to someone who cannot organise himself, never mind anything else, was very remiss. Did he think there was something wrong with the dog? Yes.
‘But did he not think it was his place to do something about it. It did not occur to him that it was his responsibility. That does not make him less culpable, it just explains what was going on. It was not his dog and he did not live with it. He did for a short time but not for a long time before it died,’ she said.
After the case RSPCA Inspector Anthony Joynes said: It’s hard to prepare yourself to walk in and deal with an incident where a dog has been starved to death.
‘You know you can’t do anything to help at that stage, and all you can do is remain professional and investigate the case to ensure that the animal’s suffering does not go unanswered.
‘I noted that the dog was wearing a collar with a tag containing the name ‘Coco’ engraved onto one side but it was far too big, providing some indication of how big the dog may have been at some point before losing body condition, as people generally don’t put collars on their dogs that are far too big and can just slip off.’
‘It remains one of the saddest sights I’ve ever seen in 14 years, Coco just lying there dead, emaciated and alone surrounded by children’s toys and bits of rubbish, having been completely let down by the people she relied upon.’
Sentencing | 18 weeks’ imprisonment suspended for 12 months; 15 rehabilitation activity days; 50 hours of unpaid work; victim surcharge of £154. Disqualified from owning an animal for the next five years (expires March 2028).
CONVICTED (2023) | Jackie Priestley, born c 1967, of Haynes Street, Keighley BD21 4PY – for cruelty to two rabbits who died from neglect.
Jackie Priestley failed to care for two rabbits, both of which died as a result of her neglect.
Jackie Priestley was banned from keeping caged animals after two female lop-eared rabbits in her care were described in court as having “clearly suffered prior to their death.”
The RSPCA visited Priestley’s home in November 2021 to investigate a report that rabbits had been abandoned at the property.
RSPCA prosecutor Philip Brown described the visit. He said: “The defendant allowed access to the premises – the property was cluttered.
“The two rabbits were in small animal transport cages in the front room. The inspector was directed into the living room – but the defendant declined to go in.
“The inspector saw the two rabbits. One was sitting up and seemed disinterested in its environment. He concluded that the other rabbit was deceased.
“When asked why she didn’t want to come into the living room the defendant said she didn’t want to see a dead rabbit.
“She didn’t show any concern that a rabbit had passed away.”
The inspector saw a water bottle on its side, with green algae in the few millimetres of water. The cage was covered in rabbit faeces. There was no roughage available, only the remains of some lettuce.
The surviving rabbit was described as being in a “very poor condition” with Mr Brown describing her as “moribund and dehydrated,” severely depressed and suffering bites from another animal.
The rabbit was put down to relieve her suffering.
Mr Brown said: “There is clear evidence these animals suffered prior to their death.”
The court heard that Priestley had claimed the rabbits had been “foisted upon her” and she had no choice but to take them in.
Mr Brown said: “She said she was sick of them and didn’t want them.”
Magistrates were told that the RSPCA had previously visited the home in May 2021, when Priestley had the rabbits. She was given advice and literature about how to look after rabbits. Mr Brown said she could have asked for help or for the rabbits to be removed then.
Mr Rehman, defending Priestley, said the rabbits had been dumped on her doorstep. He said Priestley had numerous health conditions, and “would say she did the best she could.”
He added: “Her actions were well intentioned but incompetent.”
Sentencing | 12-month community order with 15 rehabilitation days. Disqualified from keeping any caged animals, rabbits or birds (period unspecified).
CONVICTED (2023) | Ian Johnathan Podmore, born 16 May 1981, of 3 Ailsa Road, Blackburn BB1 2JL – caused the deaths of two dogs through neglect.
Serial dog killer: Ian Podmore from Blackburn, Lancs. Pic: Facebook
Ian Podmore was prosecuted by the RSPCA in relation to a Staffordshire bull terrier named Bentley, who was found with a severe skin condition and claws so overgrown they had penetrated the pads on his feet.
Bentley’s claws were so overgrown he struggled to walk. He was also suffering from a severe skin condition.
Blackburn Magistrates Court heard how RSPCA inspector Vicki McDonald had visited Podmore’s home after the charity was contacted about concerns for Bentley’s welfare.
She said: “I was immediately struck by how thin he was and that he had an extensive skin condition and fur loss. I could also see that his claws were overgrown.
“Bentley’s skin was very red, smelly, crusty and thickened and there were sores present with extensive fur loss. His ears appeared infected.
“His claws were significantly overgrown with several so long they had pierced the pads and become embedded and infected. They were the worst I have seen on a dog in my 20-year career.
“His skin condition had caused what fur he had to contain head to toe scab-like patches giving him the appearance of being mottled.
“Ian Podmore stated he had owned the dog for about 18 months to two years and that he was not on any veterinary treatment.
“He showed me some over the counter dog shampoo he said he had tried using but it had not resolved the problem.”
Bentley was taken to the RSPCA’s Greater Manchester Animal Hospital for immediate veterinary treatment.
His claws were causing him so much discomfort that he had to be sedated so he could be examined and treated without causing further pain or trauma.
Podmore – who had received a written caution in 2019 in relation to another dog – was advised that he would need to be interviewed in relation to animal welfare offences and subsequently signed Bentley over into the charity’s care.
A vet from Greater Manchester Animal Hospital gave evidence to the court.
She said: “Given the severity of Bentley’s condition on presentation, in my opinion he will have suffered for many days, as a minimum, likely longer.
“The low body weight will have taken many days or possibly weeks to have developed and would have left him experiencing weakness and debilitation.
“Ultimately Bentley had endured suffering unnecessarily. Regardless of the cause of the emaciation, ear disease, eye disease and skin disease and whether treatable or not, veterinary treatment should have been sought much earlier in this case.”
Despite extensive treatment in the following weeks, Bentley’s condition was so severe that the vet said it was detrimental to his ongoing welfare and that it was in his own best interests to put him to sleep to prevent further suffering.
She said had he received appropriate treatment sooner, his condition could have been managed.
Podmore pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal and failing to ensure the welfare of an animal.
Ian Huggan, mitigating, said his client didn’t have the strength of character to refuse when a family member asked him to take on the dog.
“He thought he could help,” said Mr Huggan.
“He was using shampoo he thought would help and feeding the dog but clearly he should have sought veterinary care.”
Passing sentence, District Judge Alexandra Preston said she had been shocked by the photographs shown to the court.
“It would have been obvious to anyone that he would have been in serious discomfort and pain,” said District Judge Preston.
“This is the second time you have had a dog that has been in a terrible state.
“You shouldn’t own dogs because you clearly don’t know how to do it properly.”
Sentencing | eight weeks in prison suspended for 12 months; 13 days of rehab activities; £100 costs and £128 victim surcharge. Banned from owning dogs for 10 years.
CONVICTED (2023) | Sarah Hunt, born c. 1973, of Boundary Lane, Saltney, Chester – left an emaciated dog to die outside alone and surrounded by waste.
Dog killer: Sarah Hunt from Saltney, Chester. Pic: Facebook
Hunt pleaded guilty to the mistreatment of of a cross-breed spaniel-type dog known as Taf, who died in March 2022.
RSPCA prosecutor Peter Mitchell said Hunt and her partner had acquired the 12-year-old black and white dog from a farm in January 2022.
Hunt’s next-door neighbour was aware of the dog and noticed he appeared quiet. She said he was in good condition at this stage, although his nails were long.
Taf was predominantly kept outside. On one occasion the neighbour found him in her garden and was concerned about the deterioration in his condition.
In a witness statement, the neighbour said she had been throwing food over the fence to feed Taf as she was worried he was looking thin. She also reported her concerns to the RSPCA.
Later, she saw the dog had deteriorated further, with eyes described as “sunken” and all of his ribs visible. The garden in which he was forced to live was said to be “in a mess” with food and waste strewn everywhere and over 50 bags of rubbish.
The matter was reported again to the RSPCA and an inspector visited the home on March 18, 2022.
Hunt told the inspector the dog had died the previous day and been buried in the back garden.
The court heard Taf had never been to the vets and had been kept in an outhouse.
The RSPCA exhumed the dog’s body and arranged a post-mortem examination where it was found that he was in poor body condition. Weighing just 14kg, he was suffering muscle wastage and there was a total lack of fat on his body.
The vet discovered foreign bodies including cotton and grass inside the dog’s stomach.. The cotton had caused peritonitis and Taf had ultimately died of septic shock.
The vet expert added the dog had been in that condition for as long as three weeks.
Hunt’s solicitor told the court her client was an “extremely vulnerable adult” who was “very remorseful for what has happened”.
The court heard Hunt and her partner at the time had rehomed Taf, but the dog did not get on well with the two dogs already at the property, so Taf was kept outside.
Hunt realised, in hindsight, the dog should have been rehomed. She said Taf was being fed “twice a day” and given water.
By March, her partner was in custody and Hunt was “in a bad way and unable to think rationally”, and “hid herself away”.
She had spoken to her mother, who advised taking the dog to the vets if his condition got worse. Hunt planned to take the dog to the vet when her partner was out of custody on March 28, but the dog had died in the meantime.
The court heard Hunt was “well intentioned”, but the “care was incompetent”.
Hunt was “no longer with her partner” and trying to turn her life around.
Of the two other dogs, one was diagnosed with cancer and sadly died, while the other named Amy was still in Hunt’s ownership. As she has now been banned from having a dog, Amy will need to be rehomed.
Sentencing | 12 weeks in prison, suspended for two years; 20-day rehabilitation activity requirement. £500 costs and £154 victim surcharge. Banned from keeping dogs for two years (expires March 2025).
