DEBORAH-MARIE MAY AND VICTORIA REYNOLDS: HORRIFIC ANIMAL CRUELTY IN NARBERTH AND MILFORD HAVEN

In a deeply disturbing case of animal cruelty, Deborah-Marie May and Victoria Reynolds, both from the Pembrokeshire area, faced justice for their involvement in the tragic death of a rescue lurcher named Lenny. The incident, which took place between October 22, 2017, and December 22, 2017, at Larch Road in Milford Haven, has shocked the local community and drawn widespread condemnation.

Deborah-Marie May, born on April 30, 1992, with no fixed address, and Victoria Louise Reynolds, born on February 23, 1989, of Martletwy near Narberth, pleaded guilty to a single offence under the Animal Welfare Act. The charge centered on their failure to provide adequate care and supervision for Lenny, which resulted in his suffering and eventual death. The court heard that the two women had starved the dog, neglecting his basic needs and allowing him to deteriorate to a state of extreme emaciation.

Photographs and evidence presented in court revealed the tragic condition of Lenny’s body. The dog, a cross-breed of a lurcher, was discovered in a bedroom, emaciated to the point where he weighed only 9.2 kilograms. For comparison, a healthy dog of his type and size would typically weigh around 25 kilograms. The examination of Lenny’s remains confirmed the severity of his neglect, with his body showing signs of prolonged starvation.

Both May and Reynolds appeared separately at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court to face sentencing. Magistrates described the case as one of the “worst cases of animal cruelty they had ever seen,” highlighting the severity of the neglect and the suffering endured by Lenny. The RSPCA inspector Nic de Celis, who was involved in the investigation, expressed his distress over the case. He stated, “This case is certainly a disturbing and very upsetting one. When I arrived, the dog was decomposing. It is just awful to think what Lenny went through, suffering for a long period of time, before tragically he died of hunger. There is no excuse for this, owning a dog is a privilege and to just abandon him without any thought is truly horrifying. I can’t understand how they let Lenny wither away and then left the body to rot in the back room.”

In terms of sentencing, Deborah-Marie May received a 22-week prison sentence, which was suspended for 18 months. She was also ordered to complete a 10-day Rehabilitation Activity Requirement, perform 150 hours of unpaid work, and pay costs of £300 along with a victim surcharge of £115. Additionally, she was banned from owning any animals for five years, a restriction set to expire in April 2023. Victoria Reynolds was sentenced to 26 weeks in prison, suspended for two years. She was also ordered to pay costs of £300 and a victim surcharge of £115. Reynolds received a more extended ban on keeping animals, prohibited from doing so for ten years, with this restriction set to expire in April 2028.

This case has once again highlighted the importance of animal welfare and the need for strict enforcement of laws designed to protect vulnerable animals. The community in Narberth and Milford Haven remains appalled by the cruelty inflicted upon Lenny, and many hope that justice serves as a warning to others who might neglect or abuse animals in the future.