AMBER AND HELEN DREW FROM HEDGE END SENTENCED FOR CRUELTY TO DOG IN HULL
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Hedge End Animal Abuser
In a disturbing case of animal neglect, Amber Mae Hume, also known as Amber Mae Drew, born in 2004 and residing on Allen Road in Hedge End, Southampton, and her mother Helen Drew, also called Ellen Drew, born on September 25, 1982, of 16th Avenue in Hull, faced justice for their failure to care for a vulnerable dog. The two women pleaded guilty to a single animal welfare offense, which involved neglecting the health and well-being of their dog, a young Staffordshire-type breed known as Patch.
Patch was discovered in a severely emaciated state at Helen Drew’s residence in Hull by RSPCA Inspector Natalie Hill on October 2, 2023. The inspector’s inspection revealed a heartbreaking scene: the dog was so underweight that every bone was prominently visible, with his head appearing concave at the top. His blue collar was hanging loosely around his neck, indicating a lack of proper care and attention. Despite efforts to provide medical treatment at a veterinary clinic, Patch’s condition did not improve, and sadly, the dog was euthanized to prevent further suffering.
During court proceedings, Inspector Hill described her observations, stating that she could not even determine the breed of the dog due to his skeletal appearance. She explained that Patch’s body condition score was only two out of nine, and he weighed a mere 11.6 kilograms at the time of admission. The veterinarian who examined Patch confirmed that he was extremely dehydrated and underweight, with a jaw that was locked shut. When the vet attempted to offer him a treat, the dog was unable to open his mouth, highlighting the severity of his condition. It was also revealed that a month prior, Patch had been seen by a PDSA veterinarian, who provided dietary advice and urged the owners to follow up, but they failed to do so, citing financial difficulties as the reason for neglect.
Further investigation uncovered that the owners had not returned to the vet for additional treatment after Patch’s mouth issue developed. The vet diagnosed the dog with Masticatory Muscle Myositis, a disease that affects the muscles used for chewing, which contributed to his inability to eat properly. Despite the PDSA’s efforts to assist, the owners did not maintain contact or seek further help, leading to the dog’s tragic decline.
In mitigation, the court heard that Amber Hume was confused about who was responsible for the dog’s care, as she was considering moving out of the Hull area at the time. It was also noted that she was on medication following a period of trauma, which may have affected her judgment. Nevertheless, the court found both women guilty and sentenced them to 26 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months. They were also ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid community service, pay court costs of £400, and a victim surcharge of £187 each. Additionally, both women received a lifetime ban on keeping dogs, a measure intended to prevent similar cases of neglect in the future.
Inspector Hill expressed her distress over the case, describing it as one of the most upsetting she had encountered. She emphasized that Patch was still wagging his tail when he was found in such a dire state, and if the defendants had taken responsibility earlier, he might have recovered. Her words underscored the tragic consequences of neglect and the importance of animal welfare enforcement.
Patch was discovered in a severely emaciated state at Helen Drew’s residence in Hull by RSPCA Inspector Natalie Hill on October 2, 2023. The inspector’s inspection revealed a heartbreaking scene: the dog was so underweight that every bone was prominently visible, with his head appearing concave at the top. His blue collar was hanging loosely around his neck, indicating a lack of proper care and attention. Despite efforts to provide medical treatment at a veterinary clinic, Patch’s condition did not improve, and sadly, the dog was euthanized to prevent further suffering.
During court proceedings, Inspector Hill described her observations, stating that she could not even determine the breed of the dog due to his skeletal appearance. She explained that Patch’s body condition score was only two out of nine, and he weighed a mere 11.6 kilograms at the time of admission. The veterinarian who examined Patch confirmed that he was extremely dehydrated and underweight, with a jaw that was locked shut. When the vet attempted to offer him a treat, the dog was unable to open his mouth, highlighting the severity of his condition. It was also revealed that a month prior, Patch had been seen by a PDSA veterinarian, who provided dietary advice and urged the owners to follow up, but they failed to do so, citing financial difficulties as the reason for neglect.
Further investigation uncovered that the owners had not returned to the vet for additional treatment after Patch’s mouth issue developed. The vet diagnosed the dog with Masticatory Muscle Myositis, a disease that affects the muscles used for chewing, which contributed to his inability to eat properly. Despite the PDSA’s efforts to assist, the owners did not maintain contact or seek further help, leading to the dog’s tragic decline.
In mitigation, the court heard that Amber Hume was confused about who was responsible for the dog’s care, as she was considering moving out of the Hull area at the time. It was also noted that she was on medication following a period of trauma, which may have affected her judgment. Nevertheless, the court found both women guilty and sentenced them to 26 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months. They were also ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid community service, pay court costs of £400, and a victim surcharge of £187 each. Additionally, both women received a lifetime ban on keeping dogs, a measure intended to prevent similar cases of neglect in the future.
Inspector Hill expressed her distress over the case, describing it as one of the most upsetting she had encountered. She emphasized that Patch was still wagging his tail when he was found in such a dire state, and if the defendants had taken responsibility earlier, he might have recovered. Her words underscored the tragic consequences of neglect and the importance of animal welfare enforcement.