CONVICTED (2023) | Milly Beth Turnham, born 1 July 2000, of 12 Durants Road, Ponders End, Enfield EN3 7AW – filmed repeatedly beating a puppy with a riding crop.
Shocking video footage shows Turnham throw a collie puppy, Shelby, into a room from shoulder height before carrying out a prolonged attack on the tiny cowering pup.
The footage, which was filmed at an address in Bridgwater, Somerset, led to Turnham being investigated and prosecuted by the RSPCA.
She was sentenced at Highbury Magistrates’ Court after the case was transferred from Taunton Magistrates’ Court when Turnham moved to Enfield.
The animal welfare charity was contacted with concerns about Turnham’s behaviour towards tri-coloured collie Shelby, who was just six months old at the time of the attack.
The sickening video was shared with the charity after it had been uploaded onto Facebook by Turnham’s partner, who filmed the incident in April 2022.
Vet Dr David Martin, who viewed the footage, said: “The video shows an extreme level of violence.
“Undoubtedly this will have caused pain as a result of both being thrown and being hit with a riding crop repeatedly and the dog will certainly have sustained significant bruising and potentially more serious injuries as a result.
“There is no reason for such behaviour towards the dog. Physical chastisement plays no part in modern dog training as it is widely recognised that dogs learn through positive encouragement as opposed to negative reinforcement.
“In addition to the physical suffering the dog has clearly suffered extreme fear and distress as a result of being thrown and beaten and this will have long-term implications for the dog’s health and welfare with a need for the dog to receive appropriate behavioural support in the future.”
Turnham, who admitted an animal welfare offence relating to the attack on Shelby, also pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a second dog.
The court heard a husky cross called Joker was severely malnourished as a result of Turnham failing to provide adequate nutrition.
RSPCA inspector Jo Daniel said: “Turnham inflicted appalling and totally unnecessary violence on this young dog.
“The footage showing Shelby trapped in a corner of the room with no way to escape as she is repeatedly beaten by Turnham with a weapon is truly sickening. It’s heartbreaking to see such fear and distress.”
Joker was rehomed prior to RSPCA involvement. Shelby was taken into RSPCA care and has since found a happy new home.
Sentencing | 16-week prison term suspended for one year; 20 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days. Banned from keeping animals for 10 years but can appeal after five (expires October 2033).
Oh my god.. Ugly witch.. Go hell
Glad the dogs taken away from the witch 🤬🤬 well done rscpa
Fuckin evil despicable thing !!!
Rot in hell ugly sun human
Omg your one ugly nasty thing. Oooh I’d beat you and would not be with a riding crop. I hope your getting terrorised for this from your neighbour hood.
What a cruel person. Probably found it exciting to inflict terror and pain on a little animal. Imagine having that thing in your family. Yuck.
And yet she can still keep her son when he should be with his dad where he would be safe and well. She needs locking up and her son needs to come back home to his dad where he should be.
She is my brother ex he could not sand it he can to at his mum because she was that bad.
She had three dog all together there names are shelby ,luna and joker and she did have one but my step sister took her of her.
She use to be that to my dog.
She tryed strangled my little sister was only 7 years old she even locked me In a dark cupboard had a canic attack use to hit my brother with the ridding crop. Social did take away her second child away in till now when he was 8 to 9 months old.
Who would have a kid with her ? She’s a dangerous nutter. Keep away lads !