CONVICTED (2024) | Ashleigh Kelly, born 14 September 1984, of 2 Glencoe Avenue, Chester-le-Street DH2 2JJ – for the starvation and neglect of two elderly shih-tzus, one of whom was immediately put to sleep.
Single mother-of-six Kelly repeatedly ignored warnings and advice from the RSPCA about the condition of the 16-year-old dogs, Alfie and Lucy, both of whom were severely matted with overgrown claws. Lucy was unsteady on her feet and unable to walk very far. She was also emaciated and given a body condition score of just one out of five. Alfie’s movement was hampered by the multiple knots in his fur.
The dogs were removed from the property by the police just before Christmas 2023 after Kelly failed to take them to a vet despite previously agreeing she would do so.
The court was told that RSPCA Inspector Rowena Proctor visited the home Kelly shares with persistent criminal Stephen Duncan, on December 11 2023. This was the latest in a series of visits by RSPCA welfare staff, which had already resulted in Kelly being issued with warnings to seek veterinary care and to get the dogs groomed.
In her written statement Inspector Proctor said: “Ashleigh brought the dogs into the living room from the kitchen to show me. She stated that she had cut their fur herself but still needed to do their paws. My immediate concern was regarding the dog’s weights.
“Alfie was thin with matted ears and feet but Lucy’s condition was terrible. She was extremely thin to the point she didn’t appear to have any visible fat anywhere, her spine protruded through her fur and her pelvis bones were sticking out. She appeared weak on her legs and wouldn’t walk far before wobbling and sitting down.”
“I wanted to give Ashleigh another chance, given that she explained the dogs were sentimental to her. At the same time, I could not walk away without ensuring that Lucy would see a vet as soon as possible.
“I offered to take her to the vet on Ashleigh’s behalf but this was refused. She told me that she would take her to the vet within the week but I told her to take Lucy within 24 hours – either that same day or first thing in the morning if need be.
“We discussed euthanasia and doing the right thing by Lucy if the vet agreed that it was needed and Ashleigh assured me that she would take her to the vets.
“We also discussed the matting on the dogs which was thick down the legs and knotted around the ears. Again, I was assured that this would be resolved.”
A further warning notice was issued but enquiries of the vet practice confirmed that neither dog had been seen.
The RSPCA continued to carry out daily checks, but with no improvement Alfie and Lucy were eventually seized by police on 16 December 2023 and taken immediately to a vet by Inspector Proctor.
On examination, black and white shih-tzu Lucy was found to have severe muscle wastage and extensive matting around her face and on her body and paws.
Given the lowest possible body condition score, she was markedly wobbly and weak on all four legs and weighed just 5kg
She also had overgrown nails, dental disease, poor vision, a grade four heart murmur and prominent ribs, spine and pelvic bones.
In her written statement to the court the vet said: “I would conclude that Lucy was suffering (discomfort, hunger and symptoms of disease) and that suffering could have been reasonably avoided or at least reduced by the owner having sought veterinary treatment. This animal’s needs were not being met and she was likely to have suffered for several months.
Sadly, Lucy was put to sleep on the advice of the vet. This was verbally agreed and authorised in writing by the police officer who had been involved in removing her from the property.
Alfie’s movement was described as ‘stilted’ and ‘slow’ due to the severity of the matted fur over his face, neck, legs, feet and tail, some of which was stained with urine and faeces.
Quiet, but alert and responsive, the cream and white dog was given a body condition score of three out of nine.
The vet added: “This little dog tolerated an extensive de-matting over the course of a couple of hours to remove all the matted, overgrown and soiled fur – this was done while Alfie was conscious with regular breaks to ensure his comfort.
“I believe Alfie was suffering and this could have been reasonably avoided by providing adequate food and meeting his grooming needs, including cleaning/cleansing any furred area that was becoming soiled. I suspect this dog had been suffering for many months due to discomfort from matted and soiled fur and hunger.”
During interview, Kelly told RSPCA inspectors she thought Alfie’s condition was “fine” and she didn’t believe that either dog was suffering.
She was shown a video of one of Lucy’s overgrown nails which had curled round into a spiral and then snapped because of her matted fur. Kelly said she was ‘well aware’ of this but the dog wouldn’t let her cut her claws.
In mitigation the court was told she had no money and was “genuinely sorry” about what had happened to the dogs.
Speaking after the case Inspector Proctor said: “Ashleigh Kelly was given ample opportunity to do the right thing by Alfie and Lucy but she repeatedly refused to heed advice, act on the warnings she’d been given or follow through on the actions she said she was going to take.
“These were elderly dogs who were especially vulnerable because of their age, but they were badly let down by the person whose responsibility it was to care for them and put their welfare first.
“The team at the vets did a fantastic job, carefully removing Alfie’s matted fur for two hours. He’s doing well in a wonderful foster home, where he’s likely to remain, enjoying the company of other dogs and being thoroughly spoiled and loved for however long he may have left.”
Sentencing | 36-month conditional discharge; £200 fine and £26 victim surcharge. Disqualified from keeping animals for ten years (expires September 2034).