CONVICTED (2016) | Samantha Jade Miller (aka Sam Roberts), born 19 December 1978, of Victoria Rd, Poole BH12 – left dogs Charlie and Tia to suffer without food and failed to treat painful skin conditions while she enjoyed holidays in Cyprus
Single mother-of-six Miller told RSPCA officers she could not afford veterinary care for the emaciated animals.
But when an RSPCA inspector visited Miller’s home in Victoria Road, Poole, he was told by one of her daughters that she was in Cyprus for the third time in a year.
Miller pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to protected animals between November 15 2015 and January 5 2016. She also admitted failing to protect animals from pain and suffering, injury and disease.
Miller was visited four times by an RSPCA inspector who gave her advice and told her to feed the animals and take them to the vet.
But she failed to heed the advice and, when the condition of the dogs deteriorated, they were taken away from her.
Magistrates heard the RSPCA inspector had given Miller food for the dogs, but she criticised it.
The animals had painful skin conditions because they were “riddled” with fleas, open wounds, sores and conjunctivitis and were clearly incredibly uncomfortable and suffering, the court heard.
Miller told the court she was in debt and could not afford the vet. She said she was ashamed and did not realise the seriousness of their condition.
After the hearing, RSPCA inspector Jo Story told the Daily Echo: “I think it is an appropriate sentence. If she didn’t understand it was serious, she wouldn’t understand how to look after other animals.
“We really try to provide help and guidance and my colleague could not have done any more. She ignored the advice continually.”
Charlie and Tia recovered and were rehomed by the RSPCA.
Sentence: 240 hours of unpaid work; victim surcharge of £60. Banned from keeping animals for 10 years (expires December 2026)