CONVICTED (2023) | Kirsty Maxine Bradley, born 4 August 1990, of Edinburgh Avenue, Bentley, Walsall WS2 0JD – left three malnourished dogs in the garden of her abandoned home during a heatwave.
Mother-of-two Kirsty Bradley moved out of her home, leaving behind French bulldogs Ola and Missy and a crossbreed called Sheba in the garden. The dogs, two of whom were emaciated, had no food or water and were fully exposed to the elements as temperatures soared.
The dogs were kept alive by the intervention of a vigilant neighbour who gave them water over the fence.
All three dogs were suffering from malnutrition and dehydration when they were examined by a vet following their rescue.
The vet’s report said: “This suffering would have been avoided if they had been offered adequate food and water. The dogs were kept in an area of the yard where there was no shade or shelter.
“With the exceptionally hot weather we had over the weekend this happened, this could well have been a fatal outcome for the dogs except for the neighbour’s intervention in providing some water over the fence.”
The dogs were found to be very underweight, with both Ola and Sheba deemed to be in an emaciated condition by veterinary experts.
Bradley was investigated and prosecuted by the RSPCA after the charity received reports of concern for the welfare of the dogs.
In court she admitted causing unnecessary suffering to protected animals by failing to ensure access to a suitable diet including fresh drinking water. She also admitted failing to take reasonable steps to ensure the needs of animals were met. Both offences were committed between June 26 to July 19, 2022.
It was during this period that the UK broke its temperature record, with 40.3C recorded on thermometers at Coningsby, Lincolnshire on July 19.
In mitigation, Bradley was said to be sorry for her actions and said she had been struggling with her mental health at the time.
She admitted leaving the dogs home alone having left the property to stay elsewhere, only returning occasionally to pick up clothing, and said she was remorseful and should have put measures in place to ensure the dogs had the care they needed in her absence.
The court ordered that the dogs, who have been cared for by the RSPCA since they were rescued, could also be signed over to the charity so they can be found new homes.
Sentencing | community order, with including 30 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 12-week electronic curfew; total of £514 in costs and surcharge. A 10-year ban on keeping animals.
I hope she looks after her Children better than she kept those poor Dogs.
Social Services need to keep a close eye on those Children.
As she is Not Capable Of Feeding and Caring For Her Dogs.