CONVICTED (2019) | Emma Welland, born c. 1971, of Wavell Gardens, Slough SL2 2EJ – lied that she had found a dying elderly dog dumped in woodland, but the pet was actually hers. Welland claimed to have found the abandoned animal in Britwell’s Bluebell Woods on June 12, 2018, when she called to tell Slough Borough Council’s neighbourhood enforcement team she had taken him home to care for him. The elderly dog, called Rasher, had been severely neglected over a significant period. He was seriously malnourished and could barely walk. He was rushed to an emergency vet but nothing could be done for him and he was put down a week later. Welland’s dog was rushed to an emergency vet but nothing could be done and he was put down a week later The vet found Rasher was suffering serious muscle wastage, malnutrition, dangerous weight loss and a nasty skin condition. An appeal was launched to find the callous owner and several people identified Welland as the person actually responsible for Rasher. Welland admitted a charge of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal under Section 4 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006. Ian Blake, the council’s neighbourhood manager, said: “This was a very difficult case due to the original reports from Emma Welland frustrating the investigation. “She claimed to have found Rasher when she was actually the dog’s owner and person responsible for his terrible condition. “She had fabricated the entire story of the abandoned dog in the wood and tried to pass her responsibility as an owner over to Slough Borough Council. “Extensive efforts were made by vets and the kennels to support and rehabilitate Rasher however, he had deteriorated to such a poor state there was little more that could be done. “Everyone involved in this case found it difficult to come to terms with what happened to Rasher. The actual facts of the matter would never have come to light if people had not come forward with information during the council’s publicity campaign and I would like to thank those who did.” Councillor Pavitar K Mann, cabinet member for regulation and consumer protection, said: “Emma Welland was identified after Slough Borough Council launched a search to find Rasher’s owner when we thought he had been abandoned. “To find out his owner was the woman who tried to claim to be the hero in this scenario was just so sad. “As the council we will always endeavour to gather as much information as possible which could lead to prosecution through the justice system.” Sentencing: 40 hours of unpaid work; 12-month community order; 15 days of a rehabilitation activity; costs and charges totalling £145. Banned from owning or keeping any animal for five years (expired March 2024). Slough Observer Update | March 2022 Welland was caught with a cat despite being banned from owning animals. On March 17, 2022 Welland pleaded guilty to owning, keeping, controlling or influencing a cat five months later, on July 24, 2019, breaching her disqualification. The judge fined her £80 and ordered her to pay costs of £800. Welland was ordered to pay a surcharge to fund victim services of £30. Slough Observer.