EMMA MILES FROM DURSLEY SENTENCED FOR CRUELTY TO STAFFORDSHIRE BULL TERRIER YOLO

Emma Miles, also known as Emma Forber, born on August 11, 1989, and residing on Lawrence Grove in Dursley, was found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to her dog, Yolo, a Staffordshire bull terrier. The tragic case came to light after Miles left her pet alone in her flat on Oak Drive, Dursley, where the dog was left to endure a slow and painful death by starvation.

When council workers from Stroud District Council arrived to clear Miles' property following her eviction, they made a disturbing discovery. The kitchen was in a deplorable state, with the floor covered in feces and a brown sludge, which was later identified as the decomposition of internal organs. Hidden within a cupboard, they found the emaciated body of Yolo, wrapped in a plastic bin bag. The condition of the dog was so severe that only fur and fecal matter remained in his stomach, and his internal organs had decomposed beyond recognition.

Initially, Miles claimed that she had given Yolo to a former boyfriend, a statement she made during the investigation conducted by animal welfare officers from Stroud District Council. However, thorough investigations led by officer Alex Myrie revealed that her story was false. Evidence showed that Miles had left Yolo alone in her flat for several weeks without providing food, water, or companionship, which ultimately resulted in the dog starving to death.

Further examination uncovered a wound on Yolo that was consistent with a pressure sore, indicating he had been unable to move prior to his death. The brown sludge found on the kitchen floor was consistent with the advanced decomposition of internal organs, confirming the prolonged suffering of the animal. A veterinarian appointed by the council described Yolo’s suffering as “a great deal in the slow, cruel and unnecessary process of starvation.”

Emma Miles was charged and found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to her dog, leading to his death. During the investigation, Mrs. Myrie expressed her profound distress over the case, stating, “In my 16 years in this role, this is the worst case of animal cruelty I have had to deal with. The last days and weeks of Yolo’s life must have been the stuff of nightmares. Staffies thrive on human company, and the thought of Yolo spending his last weeks not only starving and thirsty but also lonely, breaks my heart.”

She also reflected on the tragic irony of Yolo’s name, which stands for “You Only Live Once,” contrasting sharply with the cruel manner of his death. Mrs. Myrie emphasized that while there are no winners in such cases, she was grateful that the courts held Miles accountable. As part of her sentence, Miles was banned from owning or being responsible for any animals for the next ten years, a ban set to expire in February 2028.

Her sentencing included 18 weeks in jail, suspended for 12 months, along with an order to complete 180 hours of unpaid community work within a year. Additionally, she was ordered to pay costs and charges totaling £1,115. This case has left a lasting impact on those involved and highlights the importance of animal welfare and accountability in cases of cruelty.