CONVICTED (2024) | Carrie Hansford aka Carrie Matthews, born c. 1980, of Wickham Court, Totton, Southampton SO40 3GJ – caused a 10-year-old dog “unimaginable suffering” after leaving him to starve to death in an abandoned flat. Heartless Carrie Hansford left her dog behind to die after moving in with a new boyfriend Hansford left Staffy Rocky alone in her property on Junction Road, Southampton, after she moved in with a new boyfriend. The court heard she saw Rocky the day after he died – December 17, 2022 – but left him there to rot. Rocky died a slow, painful death from starvation and dehydration and weighed only 6.75kg when he was found. Eventually a dog warden found Rocky’s emaciated body surrounded by his own faeces. A statement from an expert vet witness said: “In the kitchen area there were hundreds of faeces deposits. “There were also a number of household items on the floor along with a deceased male brindle-and-white Staffordshire bull terrier-type dog. The dog was wearing a slack collar and the bony prominences were easily observed.” The court heard that Rocky had died from starvation and dehydration. He weighed less than 7kg. The vet’s statement explained the amount of faeces in the kitchen was consistent with Rocky having had access to food and water on a regular basis for a prolonged period. It added: “However, at some point this must have stopped, and a lack of access to food caused Rocky to lose weight and arrive at an emaciated bodily condition. “More importantly, at some point in time Rocky’s access to water must have also stopped, resulting in dehydration and death. “In addition, Rocky would have been spending long periods of time in social isolation. As a social species, this would have affected the mental health of this animal.” Hansford pleaded guilty to two counts of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal between 7th August 2022 and 7th December 2022. Speaking after the sentencing hearing, Mark Knight, the dog warden who discovered Rocky’s remains said it was one of the most distressing cases of animal abuse in his career. The former veterinary nurse added: “It is clear the owner intended to leave the dog to die. She easily could have gotten assistance and help and that would’ve given the dog a chance. “He had no chance being locked behind a door with no food or water. “There were ripped packages, ripped everything, everywhere. The dog had been searching for food and trying to find a way to survive. “As an animal warden, I am there for the welfare of animals. I felt raw emotion at that time.” Mark described the punishment meted out to Hansford as “quite shocking”. An RSPCA spokesperson said: “Dogs are completely reliant on their owners and to not provide for their needs is a breach of the law. “Providing food, water and a suitable living environment are essential elements of that care. “The vet highlighted that Rocky had been left without food and water for a prolonged period of time and the suffering Rocky endured as a result is unimaginable.” Sentencing | four-month prison term, suspended for 12 months; 100 hours of unpaid work. A FIVE-year ban on keeping animals. Daily Mail ITV News Daily Echo