CONVICTED (2022) | Mary Siobhan Howe, born December 1969, of Keyston, Huntingdon PE28 0RB – starved and neglected two rescue Belgian Malinois dogs.

Howe, founder and former director of limited company Mars & Minerva Malinois Rehoming Ltd, was convicted following a private prosecution by Jessica Sarkar, a volunteer at dog rescue New Dawn Malinois Rehoming (NDMR)

In 2019, Mary Howe put herself forward as a fosterer to NDMR following which Belgian Malinois Buddy and Monty were placed into her care on a temporary basis. A foster agreement was in place which stipulated that the dogs must not be rehomed without NDMR’s consent. After Howe fell out with NDMR she refused to return the dogs and set up her own company, Mars & Minerva Malinois Rehoming Ltd (M&M).

In April 2021, NDMR received information that M&M were renting kennel space in Bluntisham, Cambridgeshire with concerns expressed about the poor conditions. Jessica and two others decided to visit the kennels, which were described as “run-down” On arrival, they found Monty and Buddy in a weak and emaciated state, with their bones clearly visible through their coat. A vet who treated the dogs gave them each a body condition score of 1/9, the worst possible score.

One of the dogs had faeces matted into his coat. Both had been housed in a kennels that was described to have “stank of death”. Two of the witnesses broke down in tears as they spoke of the terrible condition in which they found the dogs, describing them as weak with sunken eyes. The dogs were ravenously hungry and extremely thirsty.

In the months that followed Buddy’s body condition score went from 1/5 to an “ideal” 5/9. A vet told the court that the only explanation for the improvement was a change of ownership and going from being malnourished to receiving a suitable diet.

Howe was charged with four offences: two of causing unnecessary suffering, contrary to s.4(1) AWA 2006 (failing to feed them); and two offences of breaching a duty of person responsible for animal to ensure welfare, contrary to s.9(1) AWA 2006 (relating to their weight, their housing conditions, and allowing Monty to become covered in faeces and not being given veterinary treatment).

Ultimately, without expert evidence that could rule out heart problems as the cause of Monty’s suffering, the prosecutor dropped one of the s.4(1) charges, but proceeded with the remaining three charges.

Based on the available evidence the judge was satisfied that Howe had taken responsibility for the dogs, but had not taken them to the vets or given them food of sufficient quantity or quality. Because of malnutrition, the judge determined that Buddy had suffered unnecessarily.

Sentencing | 18-month community order with 12-month mental health order and 21 days of rehabilitation; ordered to pay £6,000 towards costs. 10-year ban from owning animals, keeping or participating in keeping them, from being party to an arrangement under which she is entitled to control or influence the way in which animals are kept; or from dealing in animals.

The effect of that sentence has been stayed pending an appeal to the Crown Court. This means that the ban hasn’t yet come into force.

Advocates for Animals Solicitors

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Additional Information

Howe has a previous animal cruelty conviction, from 2012, in relation to the neglect of four horses and received a community sentence and fine.

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Update | December 2023

Mary Howe’s appeal was dismissed and the original sentence affirmed. She has been ordered to pay an additional £250 towards costs.