EMMA SPOONER'S HORRIFIC ANIMAL ABUSE IN DUDLEY LEADS TO CONVICTION

Emma Michelle Spooner, also known as Emma Hope and born on November 14, 1980, was convicted in 2013 for the severe neglect and mistreatment of her elderly dog, Kane, in Dudley, West Midlands. As of March 2019, her address was listed as Owen Street, Dudley DY2 7HT. The case revealed a disturbing history of animal cruelty that spanned over five years, during which Kane was left to suffer in deplorable conditions.

Emma Spooner admitted in court that she failed to provide her 11-year-old dog, Kane, with proper care, including a suitable diet and a clean, safe environment. The neglect was so severe that the judge condemned her for her blatant disregard for the animal’s welfare and for exposing her children to potential danger. The judge, Graham Wilkinson, expressed his outrage at the case, stating, “You left this dog to fester in the back yard. This poor animal, for five years, lived in a small space, unloved and mostly neglected. He goes feral because he is not getting love and attention. He is left to lie in his own filth. He’s occasionally thrown food and he wastes away.”

According to court proceedings, Kane was kept alive by Spooner by throwing scraps of food into the backyard of her then residence on Peel Way, Tividale, near Birmingham. During this period, Spooner was often out at nightclubs, leaving her dog to endure the harsh conditions alone. The dog was forced to sleep in a damp, open shed in the back garden, which was strewn with faeces, highlighting the appalling neglect he suffered.

Inspector Steve Morrall of the RSPCA visited Spooner’s home on January 29, 2013. Upon inspection, he observed that Kane was extremely underweight and that the yard was covered in animal waste. The inspector threw some food to the starving dog, who quickly devoured it, indicating the severity of his hunger. The case was brought to court by the RSPCA, with prosecutor Gaynor Sutton describing the scene and the condition of Kane.

Spooner claimed in her interview with a local newspaper that she had tried to get the RSPCA to euthanize Kane, but they demanded a fee of £200, which she was only willing to pay half of. She also stated that Kane belonged to her ex-partner and that she believed he would have taken responsibility for the dog when he left. Spooner insisted that the dog was not kept outside continuously for five years, claiming he used to come inside at night. She also mentioned that Kane did not get along well with women or children, having bitten two of her children and even going for her throat at one point.

During sentencing, Spooner received a curfew and was ordered to pay costs amounting to £1,000. She was also banned from owning or keeping any animals for a period of five years, a ban that expired in September 2018. The case drew significant attention due to the shocking neglect and cruelty inflicted upon Kane, highlighting the importance of animal welfare laws and enforcement in the Dudley area.