CONVICTED (2024) | Jodie Pitts, born c. 1994, and Daniel Keenan, born c. 1990, of 106 Coronation Road, Wednesbury WS10 0TJ- starved a pair of Rottweilers until one died while the other was emaciated and weak with hunger.
The RSPCA were contacted by a vet who had euthanised the couple’s severely emaciated Rottweiler named Pandora and was concerned about other dogs in their care.
RSPCA animal rescue officer Ash Moore visited the pair’s home in Coronation Road where they discovered a visibly starved ten-month-old Rottweiler called Lola.
The distressed dog was transported to a vet and found to weigh just 13.8kg. She was emaciated with marked muscle wastage and weakness when walking. While at the vets she was scavenging around the room for food. Blood test confirmed she was malnourished.
Officer Moore said: “She was extremely underweight with her full skeletal structure clearly visible, she also had indentations in her head that normally signifies being underweight severely.
“I asked [Pitts and Keenan] if she had been to a vet at all and they explained that she had only been for her vaccinations when she was much younger.
“Lola was visibly weak on her hind legs; they were shaking and were not moving as you would typically see as if the dog was struggling to hold her own weight. I was concerned for Lola and due to the situation with Pandora.”
Fed a proper diet Lola’s condition soon improved. Happily, she went on to make a full recovery and has been rehomed by the RSPCA.
Pitts and Keenan admitted two animal welfare offences, following a prosecution by the RSPCA and were sentenced on 30 September 2024.
Sentencing | 18-month community order; £664 each in fines and charges. Banned from owning animals for 20 years.