DEANNA PRITCHARD'S HORRIFIC ANIMAL ABUSE IN WEYMOUTH: FIVE-YEAR BAN AND COMMUNITY ORDER

Deanna Pritchard, also known as Deanna Dowle, born in March 1981, residing at Meadow Close, Chickerell, Weymouth DT3 4DP, has been convicted of causing unnecessary suffering to multiple animals under her care. Her actions, which took place between August 1 and August 27, 2020, have shocked the local community and highlighted severe neglect and cruelty.

According to court reports, Pritchard failed to provide basic necessities such as adequate food, water, and proper living conditions to a variety of animals. Among these were a pregnant cat, which was left to endure 'severe agony' after being attacked by a neighbor’s dog. The cat’s tail was amputated, and it was found bleeding and in extreme distress, yet it did not receive timely medical attention. The court heard that the cat was in a state of suffering that could have been alleviated had proper care been administered.

In addition to the cat, Pritchard neglected four chickens, one of which was discovered dead due to a mite infestation. The chickens had been confined in a hen hut for several weeks without proper inspection or care, suffering from a lack of suitable diet, clean water, and adequate bedding. The neglect extended to her reptiles, including a royal python and a corn snake. Both snakes were found in poor health; the python was suffering from septicaemia, and the corn snake had an injured tail. Both animals had to be euthanized due to their dire conditions, which were directly linked to the inadequate environment and care.

Furthermore, a female hamster owned by Pritchard was discovered in deplorable conditions by RSPCA officers. The hamster was barely moving, kept in a filthy enclosure, and was reportedly being 'waited for to die' by Pritchard. When questioned, she attempted to shift blame onto her children for the animal’s condition, denying responsibility.

Prosecutor Matthew Knight from the RSPCA detailed the extent of the neglect, emphasizing that the animals suffered unnecessarily due to Pritchard’s failure to care for them properly. He pointed out that the cat had been bitten by a neighbor’s dog, resulting in a bleeding tail and severe pain, yet no medical intervention was sought. The chickens had been neglected for weeks, suffering from mite infestations and malnutrition. The snakes lacked proper UV lighting, which had been unplugged, further contributing to their suffering.

In her defense, Pritchard’s solicitor, Niall Theobold, stated that the heat lamps for the animals had only been unplugged for a few days. He also highlighted that Pritchard was seven months pregnant at the time and was suffering from depression, living alone, which may have contributed to her inability to care for the animals properly.

Deanna Pritchard pleaded guilty to charges of causing unnecessary suffering to a pregnant cat, four chickens, a royal python, a corn snake, and a female hamster. Her husband, John Pritchard, was also initially prosecuted in connection with the case, but the outcome of his proceedings remains unknown.

In sentencing, Pritchard received a 12-month community order, which includes 15 days of rehabilitation activities and 120 hours of unpaid work. She was also ordered to pay £195 in costs and charges. Additionally, she is banned from keeping any animals for five years, a ban set to expire in May 2026. A deprivation order was also issued for a dog and a cat owned by Pritchard, requiring their removal from her care. The case underscores the importance of animal welfare and the consequences of neglect in Weymouth.