CONVICTED (2022) | Leanne McConnell, born 12 September 1990, of Andrew Street, Walton, Liverpool L4 4DT – abandoned starving pets in a house for weeks.
McConnell was prosecuted after the RSPCA discovered one cat eating another’s body after she abandoned them. She had left the cats, who she named ‘Fat Slag’ and ‘Tilly’, alone in her home for so long that one of them died of thirst and starvation.
The other cat and a dog, called ‘Chunks’, were found emaciated and distressed inside the house in Norris Green, Liverpool, in 2021.
A vet said the animals had been allowed to suffer after McConnell left them without enough food or water.
RSPCA animal inspector Anthony Joynes visited McConnell’s house with police after concerns were raised for the animals’ welfare.
When he arrived at the home on Hollingbourne Road a neighbour told him they had not seen her for weeks.
He managed to call McConnell and she came round to the house to let him in.
Inspector Joynes found rubbish and animal faeces littered the home that stunk of urine.
He then found one of McConnell’s cats in a ‘filthy’ downstairs bathroom eating the cat that had died.
Inspector Joynes said: “He also had a marked skin tent and was clearly distressed being found actively feeding on a deceased black and white cat.”
Veterinary surgeon Vanessa Whitfield said the court most likely died of inadequate nutrition or malnutrition, although she said disease within the missing organs could not be ruled out.
Dr Whitfield said: “The two cats and dogs were allowed to suffer due to a lack of accessible, clean and fresh water leading to thirst, dehydration and contributing to the death of one of the cats.”
McConnell admitted three charges of causing unnecessary suffering to protected animals and a fourth charge of failing to meet animal’s needs at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court earlier this year.
The court heard McConnell was suffering with mental health issues when she abandoned the animals and her case was sent to the Complex Case Court for sentencing.
Sentencing | six month jail term suspended for a year; a total of £1047 in fine, costs and a surcharge. Banned for keeping animals for twelve years.
Another Mentally Disturbed Scum.
Fat Bitch Made Sure She Fed Herself.
She won’t have no luck for what she did.
Absolutely Heart Breaking.
She looks like she is a good cook as she looks very well fed.
Perhaps she should go on a degree course for housework at a UK university.