CONVICTED (2023) | Bernadette Marie Gallivan, born 23 January 1976, of Saxton Avenue, Buttershaw, Bradford BD6 3SW – starved two cats to death, with an abandoned dog found in a state of severe emaciation.
Grandmother Bernie Gallivan pleaded guilty to three counts of causing unnecessary suffering to a Jack Russell called Edie, and cats Bentley and Mischief.
Police and RSPCA inspectors forced entry to her abandoned home following a report of concern about the welfare of animals at the address and discovered the bodies of the cats. One was found in the bathroom and the other wedged behind a set of drawers.
Skeletal Jack Russell Edie, described as “petrified”, was found shut in the kitchen surrounded by chewed plastic takeaway cartons and empty bowls. She had survived by chewing her way through food packets.
The little dog had suffered so much muscle wastage her ribs, spine and pelvic bones were clearly visible.
The bodies of Bentley and Mischief were surrounded by mounds of rubbish, faeces, empty cans and bottles, and heavily soiled litter trays.
A post-mortem examination discovered Bentley had plastic in his stomach which the RSPCA believed he had eaten in a desperate bid to stay alive.
The inspector who found him in the sink said it was a “deeply saddening and distressing sight”.
The RSPCA said starvation was “highly likely the cause of death” for both cats.
It is believed the three animals had not been fed for “a prolonged period” of “at least two weeks, probably longer,” the charity said.
The charity said Edie, who weighed just 3.9kg when she was rescued, had been “found just in time”. After six weeks in the care of the RSPCA’s Halifax, Huddersfield, Bradford and District branch, her weight had increased to 6.8kg.
Gallivan had moved out of the property to live with a friend half-a-mile away but failed to return to attend to her pets despite working in a nearby cafe.
In court she admitted failing to take action to investigate the cause of the animals’ weight loss and failing to provide them with a suitable environment that was hygienic and free from hazards.
Edie has recovered well and is now living in “a lovely new home”, the RSPCA said.
Sentencing | community order with up to 20 days of rehabilitation activity; £100 towards the RSPCA’s costs plus £95 victim surcharge. Disqualified from owning or keeping animals for life, “due to concerns of neglect and harm”.
Absolutely beyond words.
The poor animals sufferd at the hands of such a cruel excuse for a human being. Karma to you.
Disgusting filthy woman with no heart or decency.
She should have been jailed.
Zero point trying someone in court for this type of crime. Waste of money as the sentences available are pathetic. Just print her current address, she’d get justice then 😉
Another Mentally Disturbed Scum.
Absolutely Heart Breaking.
Them poor little Animals.
How the Hell can you leave those poor little Animals To Starve To Death.
She won’t have no luck for what she has done.