CONVICTED (2011) | Hayley A Cronin, born 24/06/1983, of Kimble Drive, Bedford MK41 9SZ – allowed her dog to die of hyperthermia after leaving him tied up in direct sunlight for several hours

Single mother Cronin pleaded guilty to causing cross-breed Buster unnecessary suffering when she left him tied up in the sun.

The court heard how Cronin, who supports her three young children on benefits, was under severe stress when the incident happened in June 2011.

The court heard how an RSPCA inspector attended the address after concerns were raised that a dog had died at Cronin’s home. Cronin confirmed that the dog had died and took him to a neighbour’s address where Buster was found on the kitchen floor covered in a damp sheet.

A post-mortem later showed that Buster’s temperature had reached 41.9 degrees. A normal temperature is between 37.9 and 38.9 degrees. The vet also reported that Buster had gone through extreme suffering in the run-up to his death.

Cronin was fined £500, which included court costs and a victim surcharge and banned from keeping a dog for seven years. Her father, who attended the hearing, said that he would pay the fine his daughter’s behalf.

Sentence: £500 fine; seven-year ban on keeping dogs (expired 2018).

Source: Bedford Today (article removed).