CHARLOTTE KENNY FROM MORECAMBE SENTENCED FOR ANIMAL CRUELTY INVOLVING DOGS AND CATS IN PRESTON

Charlotte Emma Kenny, born in July 1985 and previously residing on Finney Park Drive in Lea, Preston, has been convicted of severe animal cruelty involving neglect and starvation of multiple pets. She is now living on Queen Street or Albert Road in Morecambe. The case, prosecuted by the RSPCA, revealed the distressing conditions in which her animals were kept, leading to a series of investigations and ultimately her guilty plea.

According to court records, Kenny was responsible for the welfare of three dogs and four cats, all of whom suffered from neglect and malnutrition. The animals included Merlin, a brown dapple male bull breed type dog; Daisy, a black and tan 10-year-old Rottweiler type dog; Harou, a two-year-old male Northern Inuit type dog; Loki, a black kitten; Barney, a tortoiseshell cat; Brie, a grey cat; and Maggie, a tabby cat. Photographs presented during the case showed Daisy and Harou as two of the pets involved in the prosecution.

The RSPCA’s investigation was triggered after Merlin, a severely emaciated dog, was brought to a veterinarian in a collapsed state in January 2023. Merlin was suffering from severe diarrhea and was so ill that he had to be euthanized. The charity received Merlin’s clinical history and made multiple attempts to contact Charlotte Kenny, who was unresponsive to notices left at her previous residence. When inspectors visited her home in Preston, they found a scene of utter disarray, with animal feces and piles of rubbish scattered throughout the property.

During the inspection, the inspectors observed three underweight dogs living in deplorable conditions. The animals appeared to have been deprived of proper nutrition for several weeks, with a vet confirming their malnourished state. The conditions inside the house were appalling, with the conservatory resembling a space where dogs were kept, filled with ripped couches covered in dog hair, and strewn with empty, chewed-up cans of dog food. The smell of ammonia and feces was overpowering, and the floors were damp and contaminated.

The kitchen was equally filthy, with animal food bowls, rubbish, and feces covering the floor. A mop bucket containing stagnant water was found near the front door, and the ceiling above the sink had caved in, making it inaccessible. Upstairs, the scene was no better, with piles of feces, clutter, and old food bowls. The toilets were overflowing with human feces, and the main bedroom was cluttered with rubbish and empty tins, leaving little space to move.

Rescued dogs Daisy and Harou were severely underweight upon discovery. Daisy’s ribs, hips, and spine were protruding, and she had overgrown nails, scabby ears, and an unkempt coat. She also emitted a strong urine smell, and her eyes appeared sticky and possibly infected. Harou, although fluffy, was also thin, with his spine and ribs easily felt through his coat, and urine stains on his legs and feet. Both dogs showed signs of neglect, and a veterinarian from the RSPCA’s Greater Manchester Animal Hospital confirmed that their weight loss was due to inadequate nutrition over a period of three to four weeks or longer.

Following their rescue, both dogs made significant progress in gaining weight and improving their health. Daisy, who initially weighed only 19 kg—well below the average for her breed—showed remarkable recovery. The typical weight for a female Rottweiler ranges from 35 to 48 kg, depending on stature. Harou, who weighed 24.6 kg at the time of rescue, also gained weight, with the veterinarian noting that his initial weight loss was consistent with prolonged neglect.

Despite her neglect, Kenny had previously ignored warnings from the RSPCA and refused offers of assistance to reduce her number of animals. During the court proceedings, it was explained that she had been working long hours, which contributed to her inability to care for her pets properly. She expressed remorse and apologized for her actions, and her personal circumstances had since improved.

All animals involved were surrendered to the RSPCA during the investigation. They were subsequently cared for by the charity’s branches in Southport, Ormskirk, and Preston, and have since been rehomed to loving new families. Deputy Chief Inspector Susan Micallef commented on the case, stating, “This was a particularly upsetting case to investigate, and the situation could have been avoided if the owner had followed the advice and guidance previously given by the RSPCA. The animals were living in totally unacceptable conditions, and their care was woefully inadequate. The transformation of these dogs is heartwarming, and I am pleased they have found good homes.”

In sentencing, Charlotte Kenny received a 16-week prison sentence suspended for 24 months, along with a 12-month community order requiring 100 hours of unpaid work. She was also ordered to pay £400 in costs to the RSPCA and a victim surcharge of £154. Additionally, she is banned from owning animals for ten years, reflecting the severity of her neglect and the importance of preventing future cruelty.