CHENEY ROACH FROM WITHINGTON SENTENCED FOR STARVING DOG TO DEATH IN MANCHESTER
| Red Rose Database
Withington Animal Abuser
Cheney Ruby Roach, born on 25 February 1988 and residing on Alford Avenue in Withington, Manchester M20 1AQ, has been convicted of a severe case of animal cruelty involving neglect and abandonment. The incident, which garnered significant attention from animal welfare authorities, centered around the tragic death of her dog, a Shar-pei cross named Bella.
According to reports, Roach had moved out of her residence, leaving Bella behind in a state of extreme starvation. The RSPCA was alerted after a distressing discovery: the skeletal remains of the dog, wrapped in an old duvet, were found in her former home. The footage captured during the investigation showed the condition of Bella’s remains, which underscored the severity of her suffering.
Roach initially told RSPCA officers that she had been staying with a friend for several months and that she had returned to her home every other day to feed Bella. However, veterinary assessments painted a different picture. The vet confirmed that Bella had been starved for at least two weeks, despite Roach’s claims of regular feeding. The dog’s body, weighing only 8.3 kilograms and given a body condition score of 1 out of 9, indicated extreme emaciation. Additionally, the vet found chewed-up toothbrushes in Bella’s stomach, suggesting she had resorted to ingesting non-food items out of desperation.
The veterinarian explained that Bella had likely experienced a range of distressing emotions during her period of neglect, including frustration, boredom, helplessness, loneliness, anxiety, and fear. The evidence suggested that she had been left to suffer from starvation for a minimum of two weeks. The presence of foreign material in her gastrointestinal tract indicated she had resorted to pica, a condition where animals eat non-food substances, in an attempt to satisfy her hunger.
Animal Rescue Officer Ross Allan from the RSPCA first visited Roach’s residence on 13 December 2023. Upon arrival, he found no one at home and observed signs that a dog had previously been there, such as discarded dog food tins and toys in the bin and garden. A notable hole, approximately two feet square, was also seen in the front garden. Roach’s property was sealed off, and a contact note was left requesting her to get in touch. Neighbors confirmed they had not seen Bella or Roach’s family for some time, prompting further investigation.
Five days later, Officer Allan returned to check the seals and found they had not been tampered with. With police assistance, he gained access to the property and discovered Bella’s body wrapped in a Spiderman duvet in a cupboard. The scene also included an empty dog food wrapper, an empty bowl, and a strong smell of ammonia in the kitchen. In the front room, a shovel with dirt on it was found propped up near the location where Bella’s remains were discovered.
Roach admitted to causing unnecessary suffering to Bella and neglecting her basic needs. During court proceedings, it was revealed that Roach had been facing personal difficulties at the time, including struggles with alcohol and problems at home, which contributed to her inability to care for Bella properly.
In sentencing, Roach received a 12-month community order, which includes 15 days of rehabilitation activity and 220 hours of unpaid work. She was also ordered to pay £600 in costs and a £114 victim surcharge. Additionally, she was disqualified from owning any animals for five years, a ban that will expire in August 2029. The case highlights the importance of animal welfare and the consequences of neglecting vulnerable pets in the Manchester area.
According to reports, Roach had moved out of her residence, leaving Bella behind in a state of extreme starvation. The RSPCA was alerted after a distressing discovery: the skeletal remains of the dog, wrapped in an old duvet, were found in her former home. The footage captured during the investigation showed the condition of Bella’s remains, which underscored the severity of her suffering.
Roach initially told RSPCA officers that she had been staying with a friend for several months and that she had returned to her home every other day to feed Bella. However, veterinary assessments painted a different picture. The vet confirmed that Bella had been starved for at least two weeks, despite Roach’s claims of regular feeding. The dog’s body, weighing only 8.3 kilograms and given a body condition score of 1 out of 9, indicated extreme emaciation. Additionally, the vet found chewed-up toothbrushes in Bella’s stomach, suggesting she had resorted to ingesting non-food items out of desperation.
The veterinarian explained that Bella had likely experienced a range of distressing emotions during her period of neglect, including frustration, boredom, helplessness, loneliness, anxiety, and fear. The evidence suggested that she had been left to suffer from starvation for a minimum of two weeks. The presence of foreign material in her gastrointestinal tract indicated she had resorted to pica, a condition where animals eat non-food substances, in an attempt to satisfy her hunger.
Animal Rescue Officer Ross Allan from the RSPCA first visited Roach’s residence on 13 December 2023. Upon arrival, he found no one at home and observed signs that a dog had previously been there, such as discarded dog food tins and toys in the bin and garden. A notable hole, approximately two feet square, was also seen in the front garden. Roach’s property was sealed off, and a contact note was left requesting her to get in touch. Neighbors confirmed they had not seen Bella or Roach’s family for some time, prompting further investigation.
Five days later, Officer Allan returned to check the seals and found they had not been tampered with. With police assistance, he gained access to the property and discovered Bella’s body wrapped in a Spiderman duvet in a cupboard. The scene also included an empty dog food wrapper, an empty bowl, and a strong smell of ammonia in the kitchen. In the front room, a shovel with dirt on it was found propped up near the location where Bella’s remains were discovered.
Roach admitted to causing unnecessary suffering to Bella and neglecting her basic needs. During court proceedings, it was revealed that Roach had been facing personal difficulties at the time, including struggles with alcohol and problems at home, which contributed to her inability to care for Bella properly.
In sentencing, Roach received a 12-month community order, which includes 15 days of rehabilitation activity and 220 hours of unpaid work. She was also ordered to pay £600 in costs and a £114 victim surcharge. Additionally, she was disqualified from owning any animals for five years, a ban that will expire in August 2029. The case highlights the importance of animal welfare and the consequences of neglecting vulnerable pets in the Manchester area.