CONVICTED (2023) | Chloe Hill, born 9 June 1997, of Graham Avenue, Airlie Street, Boulevard, Hull HU3 3JQ – allowed her dog to fall into a state of such neglect, experts couldn’t even tell her breed.

Hill was prosecuted by the RSPCA after taking the “mummified” remains of the nine-year-old Shih Tzu, named Porsha, to a vet for cremation. Veterinary staff were so concerned over the deceased animal’s poor condition, they contacted the charity.

Inspector Laura Barber went to look at Porsha’s body. Giving evidence at Hull Magistrates’ Court, she said: “On top of the freezer was a pitiful, shocking sight of a deceased dog. It was unrecognisable what breed of dog it was.

“I was informed she was a female Shih Tzu dog called Porsha. On first look, she appeared to have the appearance of a mummified animal. Every bone could be clearly seen on her little body, including every rib, pelvic and spinal bones. It was very upsetting to see.”

Porsha was almost completely bald and was given a body condition score of just one out of nine. Veterinary records showed that the dog had not been seen by a vet since October 2020 and an appointment had been missed in April 2022.

The vet on duty on the day Porsha was brought in dead told the court: “It was difficult to immediately identify which breed of dog she was, though on subsequently checking her file, she was seen to be recorded as a Shih Tzu. Her body was that of an emaciated female dog and she was almost completely devoid of hair. There were several live fleas present on the body.

“The nails on all four paws were severely overgrown, several of them had grown right round and into the pads, which would have made walking very painful, if even possible. The right eye was milky white and appeared to have been suffering with a severe cataract, with Porsha unlikely to have been able to see with this eye.

“Her teeth were in a better condition than the 15 years of age which was stated when the body was handed in. A subsequent review of her records indicated she was nine years and 11 months of age.”

The vet went on to say that Porsha’s “significant” weight loss likely spanned months, rather than weeks. She believed that if the defendant had sought treatment sooner, any underlying condition could have been identified. If the condition was not treatable, Porsha could have been humanely put down, rather than being left to suffer.

Hill pleaded guilty to failing to protect Porsha from pain, suffering, injury or disease by not seeking veterinary care.

She told the court that she was remorseful and had loved her dog. She had acted in good faith, but had been let down by bad advice from others.

The deputy district judge who heard the case said the offending crossed the threshold for custody. It was only the defendant’s early guilty plea, her lack of previous convictions and her caring responsibilities that had prevented an immediate term of imprisonment from being imposed.

Speaking after the case, Inspector Barber said: “I’ve been an inspector for over 17 years but I’ve never seen a dog that was so unrecognisable I couldn’t tell the breed.

“It would have been clear that Porsha needed help well before she was taken to the vets, yet her plight was ignored. The shocking sight of her lying there, emaciated and almost completely bald, is something that will stay with me for some time.”

Sentencing | 12-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months; 150 hours of unpaid work; costs of £400. Banned from keeping any animals for eight years (expires June 2031).

Hull Daily Mail