CONVICTED (2021) | Louise Michelle Cleave, born c. 1981, of First Avenue, Dawlish EX7 9RB – left her elderly dog to die alone barricaded in a toilet
Dolci, a 15-year-old Staffordshire bull terrier, was found dead in squalid conditions by RSPCA inspectors at Louise Cleave’s home.
Cleave said she had left the dog in the toilet when she grew weak and was too scared to look to see if she was dead.
She told inspectors she could not afford a vet and had suffered a mental health health breakdown due to problems in her family life.
Cleave admitted causing unnecessary suffering to an animal by failing to give Dolci proper veterinary care. She was banned from owning animals for the rest of her life.
The dog was found to have been suffering with a range of illnesses, including a long-standing skin condition and kidney disease but most seriously pyometra, a fatal infection of the womb.
Prosecutor Lindi Meyer said RSPCA inspectors went to Cleave’s address in January 2021 after a report of concerns over the treatment of a dog.
Cleave told them Dolci had been unwell for a while but she could not afford treatment. A cabinet had been placed against the door along with a stack of laminated floor strips.
She wasn’t sure if was Dolci was dead. She told inspectors the dog could have passed away but she was too scared to look.
The inspectors found Dolci lying on her side in her bed. She was dead.
RSPCA inspector Beccy Wadey, said: “She was lying on a bed of soiled toilet paper and next to her was a red tartan type blanket on a soiled sheet, a very soiled pillow and what looked like a puppy training pad that was also soiled. It was a very distressing sight.
“Dolci was emaciated with the ribs and spine prominent and had a distended, bloated stomach.” There was some old chopped up dog meat and water in a bowl.
Damage to the door indicated Dolci had been trying to scratch her way out for some time.
Cleave said the dog had been unwell for two or three weeks. Her back legs had given way but she feared she would ‘get done’ if vets saw the condition she was in.
She already owed them money and could not afford more. She did not want to think about the animal suffering.
Ms Meyer said Cleave tried to blame others, including police and the charity Animals in Distress who she claimed to have repeatedly contacted but received no reply.
Vets concluded Dolci was left to die of septicaemia, septic shock and kidney failure and would have suffered mental anguish being locked up her for several days.
A post-mortem revealed she was in poor condition with her spine, ribs, and hip bones sticking out, her skeletal muscle was reduced. There was a reduced layer of fat under her skin, she weighed just 10kg.
Her kidneys showed signs of disease and the pyometra caused a foul smelling liquid to form that was unable to drain away. Vets said the amount of infected liquid – two litres – was ‘astonishing’.
“While Dolci was poorly and losing weight she effectively abandoned her rather than get veterinary help,” said the prosecutor.
“The suffering was significant and ongoing for around two weeks.”
She said Cleave had shown no remorse and did not think she had done anything wrong.
“Even the skin complaint should have had attention,” she added. “This little dog suffered from a lack of kindness, treatment and comfort when dying.”
Lisa McArthur, defending, said Cleave had owned and loved the dog for many years.
Her 21-year-old son had returned to live with her and brought his mastiff dog with him. She had put Dolci in the downstairs toilet to keep her safe from the mastiff.
She was scared of her son’s temper and other issues in the family caused her mental health to deteriorate. She had noticed her dog had slowed down and grown weaker but put it down to old age.
She said she made the dog comfortable and checked on her the day before inspectors arrived.
She has been diagnosed with emotionally unstable personality disorder, was a victim of domestic abuse and suffered with anxiety and low confidence.
Cleave had put her head in the sand and hoped the problem with the dog would go away, said Ms McArthur.
A probation report said Cleave would not intentionally harm animals but lacked insight into the offence and does not take responsibility for her actions.
Magistrates told her: “We find you did neglect and ill treat an elderly dog who was severely ill, suffering in pain and distressed which you knew needed immediate medical treatment. As a result of your neglect the dog sadly died.”
But they said Cleave had significant mitigation due to the offence being linked to her mental health, the caring responsibilities she had with her family and the fact she was currently pregnant.
Sentencing: jailed for 12 weeks, suspended for 12 months, with 20 days of rehabilitation work with probation; £528 costs. Lifetime ban on owning animals but can appeal after 10 years (April 2031).
Another Mentally Disturbed Scum.
She could have taken the Dog to the PDSA, and had the Dog Euthanised, she didn’t need to leave it suffer for weeks.
Its a shame because the Dog was elderly 15 Years Old, and it had obviously been looked after in the past, to reach a good old age.
But there is No Excuse to leave things suffer.
The least we can do, is get them some Basic Veterinary Care.
She should be jailed. She deliberately caused that poor dog to suffer ,he must have been in dreadful pain for an extensive time. God help her child when its born. She is not fit to look after an ant
I’m not being funny but a lot of people put things they do down to mental health issues and it’s not on, she knew the dog needed a vet!! Pregnant or not she should have served time in prison this country is too slack on punishment for animals.
I thought punishment for animal cruelty was going to get harsher! Pathetic suspended sentence again! That’s all these scum bags ever seem to get. Makes my blood boil!
I know her. She’s had her children taken off her because she can’t look after them properly. She spends her benefits money on getting her face and nails done, rather than on her kids or animals. Has more kids to get more benefits. Never worked a day in her life. Doesn’t give a s**t about anyone or anything except herself. 😡
She has threatened everyone who dares to share this public information she even threatened to beat me up when I was pregnant regagdless of my baby growing inside me she blames everyone but herself for her own childish pathetic behaviour doesn’t take that long to pick up the phone and call an animal shelter to come help her… you had every opportunity to fix it Louise but you didn’t instead you chose to kill poor dolci….. and then blame your kids for it that is honestly the lowest of lows, why don’t you take a good long look in the mirror hunny because everyone’s sharing this everyday because you’ve told multiple people that you still have animals in your property and that you keep going for walks with your dogs and feeding your cats etc you clearly haven’t learned maybe it shouldn’t have been a suspended sentence because pregnant women are allowed in prison you know, maybe we should’ve reported your neglect just that little bit harder eh