CONVICTED (2024) | Davina Karla Wallace, born 21 July 1994, most recently of St Ives Road, Woodhurst, Huntingdon PE28 but originally from Wembley, North West London – starved a puppy to death.

Failed R&B singer Davina Wallace, who performed under the name Cartaé / Cartae, pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to the puppy, called Ruby, after failing to provide her with adequate nutrition.

Responding to a report of concern, an RSPCA inspector visited Wallace’s home but she failed to answer the door. A calling card was left and, on November 19, 2023, Wallace spoke with an RSPCA officer when she said her dog was sick, she was unable to cope and wanted to sign her over.

Animal Rescue Officer (ARO) Jack Curran said in a witness statement: “In my conversation with [her] she stated she had not yet checked on the puppy but it’s very unwell and she checked on the dog whilst I was on the phone.

“She stated the puppy is very unwell and not moving, then stated she didn’t know whether the dog was still alive. I asked if she could get the dog to a vets and she stated she couldn’t.”

ARO Curran arrived at the location to sadly find the puppy dead in a crate. His statement added: “The dog was in a crate, located in the lounge/kitchen area of the caravan.

“The puppy was deceased in the crate, there was no food or water in the crate, there was a blanket but it was very dirty.

“There was a large build-up of faeces in and around the outside of the crate.

“The puppy was a black and tan dog, roughly the size of a cat, in very poor condition.

“I could see the dog’s ribs, spine and hip bones protruding the body, and the dog also had a large build-up of discharge around its eyes.”

Wallace told ARO Curran that the dog was called Ruby but she didn’t know her age or breed. She said that a friend had given the dog to her four weeks earlier.

The officer took Ruby to a vet to be examined. Vets determined she’d died within the last 24 hours and RSPCA Inspector Dean Astilberry took on the case to investigate.

A vet estimated her to be between three and four months old. She was described as “emaciated” with the lowest possible body condition score of just one out of nine.

In his witness statement, he said: “The post-mortem examination showed severe emaciation consistent with starvation, and the presence of mild pneumonia and enteritis that may have contributed to the emaciation.”

The court heard in mitigation how Wallace had struggled with mental health problems and was supported by a social worker. She not been taking her medication at the time and wasn’t looking after herself or her dog. She is now back on her medication and is receiving support in sheltered accommodation.

Sentencing | 18-month community order with 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days; fined £120 and ordered to pay a £114 victim surcharge. Disqualified from keeping all animals for life but may appeal after just three years.

Hunts Post
Rayo