CONVICTED (2024) | Kerry Anne Hodgkinson, aka Kerry Gannon, born 9 July 1975, of 30 Aston Avenue, Winsford CW7 2HX – starved two dogs with one of them having to be put to sleep immediately.
Hodgkinson, a self-employed dog groomer who traded under the name Dandelion Dogs, allowed the condition of her Kangal Shepherd, Kaan, to deteriorate to such an extent he couldn’t be saved.
The stricken pet was taken to a veterinary practice by an unidentified man who was so embarrassed by his condition, he asked the vet to come to his car to examine him.
Kaan was in such poor condition the vet couldn’t find a vein to sedate him, and he yelped in pain every time he was moved.
He was given a last biscuit to eat, which he struggled with before the vet eventually managed to find enough muscle in his neck for the euthanasia needle.
The vet alerted the RSPCA, which sent inspectors to Hodgkinson’s home.
There they found three other dogs, including a severely underweight crossbreed called Buddy.
A vet judged Buddy’s condition was so poor, he would have certainly been suffering unnecessarily.
Hodgkinson was convicted of two counts of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal.
A statement from the vet who was forced to put Kaan to sleep was read to the court.
It said: “The man opened the car door and picked up Kaan, who was wrapped in a blanket, off his front seat.
“Once the door was opened, a foul smell was noticeable.
“He informed me he wasn’t Kaan’s owner, but had permission to do whatever he felt was needed.
“I asked if he meant euthanasia and he confirmed. I then explained I would need Kaan’s owner’s consent for euthanasia.
“He called Miss Hodgkinson for verbal consent.”
He added an examination of Kaan showed he was in an emaciated state and his eyes had sunken into his head, with almost no visible muscle.
RSPCA inspector, Leanne Cooper said: “It’s heartbreaking Kaan suffered so much as a result of being starved.
“It was Hodgkinson’s legal responsibility to ensure Kaan and Buddy didn’t suffer, and she failed to do this.”
Sentencing | 16-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months;
£400 costs and a £154 victim surcharge. Banned from keeping animals for life.
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