EDLINGTON WOMAN GEMMA BERMINGHAM CONVICTED OVER CRUELTY TO DOGS IN DONCASTER
| Red Rose Database
Edlington Animal Abuser
Gemma Bermingham, formerly known as Gemma Davies, a resident of Edlington, was found guilty in 2024 of neglecting and failing to properly care for a total of 13 dogs, including a litter of 10 puppies. Her failure to provide basic necessities such as adequate food, clean water, proper exercise, and a safe living environment for the animals led to her prosecution by the RSPCA.
Authorities became aware of the dire conditions at her residence on Bernard Road, Edlington, after concerns were raised about the welfare of the animals. On May 6, 2024, RSPCA Inspector Vanessa Reid, accompanied by police officers, visited the property following reports and observations of a very thin dog seen in the front window the previous day. The inspection revealed a scene of severe neglect and suffering among the dogs living there.
During the visit, Bermingham allowed the officers inside her home. She then released two Belgian Malinois, a female named Luna and a male named Major, into the insecure garden outside. Inspector Reid’s written statement detailed her observations: she heard faint squeaking sounds, indicating the presence of puppies, which Bermingham confirmed were Luna’s ten two-week-old pups. The puppies were found huddled on a stained cushion in a corner of the room, covered in urine and faeces.
Further investigation uncovered a black and white bully-type dog named Rocco, kept in a cage in the kitchen area. Rocco was also in poor condition, with a lean physique, and Bermingham claimed he belonged to a relative but was unable to specify who. The dogs were immediately seized by police and taken for urgent veterinary treatment due to their critical state.
Veterinary assessments revealed the extent of their suffering. Luna, a three-year-old Malinois, was severely emaciated, with a body condition score of just 0.5 out of five, indicating she had virtually no body fat. She exhibited prominent skeletal features and scars on her hind limbs, suggesting previous injuries or trauma. Her coat was dry, unkempt, and stained with urine, and she displayed a ravenous appetite, indicative of prolonged malnutrition. The vet noted that her condition could have developed over weeks, possibly longer, if she had been fed substandard or insufficient amounts of food.
Major, an eight-month-old Malinois, was also in a dire state, with a body condition score of one out of five, showing visible ribs and pelvic bones. He had scars from past trauma on his face, and his limbs were stained with urine, reflecting poor hygiene and husbandry. Rocco, estimated to be between six and nine months old, was similarly underweight, with extensive coat issues, urine and faecal odour, and signs of neglect.
The puppies, aged between three and four weeks, were found with foul odours of faeces and grease, their coats stained with urine and unkempt. Although Bermingham allowed Luna to nurse the puppies, she provided little to no assistance in their care, risking bacterial infections and further health complications.
The veterinarian emphasized that the dogs’ deteriorated conditions could not have occurred overnight. It would have taken weeks of inadequate or no proper feeding for them to reach such a state, and ongoing poor nutrition could have worsened their health further. Bermingham subsequently pleaded guilty to four charges under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
In court, it was revealed that Bermingham was experiencing personal and financial difficulties at the time, which she admitted had led her to neglect her responsibilities towards her pets. The district judge condemned her for taking on the care of three adult dogs and a litter of puppies without the means to properly care for them. The judge stated that it was her sole responsibility to ensure their well-being, including providing food, water, exercise, and a safe environment. Instead, she allowed the puppies to be born and kept them in the hope of selling them, despite her inability to care for them properly.
After the case, Inspector Reid commented on the importance of responsible pet ownership, stressing that owners must seek help if they find themselves unable to meet their animals’ needs. All the dogs were surrendered to the RSPCA and have since recovered well. They received care at the charity’s centres in Derby and Burton-upon-Trent and have now been rehomed.
As part of her sentence, Bermingham received a 12-month community order, including 70 hours of unpaid work, 10 days of rehabilitation, a £400 fine, and a £114 victim surcharge. She was also disqualified from owning dogs for seven years, a ban that will last until November 2031.
Authorities became aware of the dire conditions at her residence on Bernard Road, Edlington, after concerns were raised about the welfare of the animals. On May 6, 2024, RSPCA Inspector Vanessa Reid, accompanied by police officers, visited the property following reports and observations of a very thin dog seen in the front window the previous day. The inspection revealed a scene of severe neglect and suffering among the dogs living there.
During the visit, Bermingham allowed the officers inside her home. She then released two Belgian Malinois, a female named Luna and a male named Major, into the insecure garden outside. Inspector Reid’s written statement detailed her observations: she heard faint squeaking sounds, indicating the presence of puppies, which Bermingham confirmed were Luna’s ten two-week-old pups. The puppies were found huddled on a stained cushion in a corner of the room, covered in urine and faeces.
Further investigation uncovered a black and white bully-type dog named Rocco, kept in a cage in the kitchen area. Rocco was also in poor condition, with a lean physique, and Bermingham claimed he belonged to a relative but was unable to specify who. The dogs were immediately seized by police and taken for urgent veterinary treatment due to their critical state.
Veterinary assessments revealed the extent of their suffering. Luna, a three-year-old Malinois, was severely emaciated, with a body condition score of just 0.5 out of five, indicating she had virtually no body fat. She exhibited prominent skeletal features and scars on her hind limbs, suggesting previous injuries or trauma. Her coat was dry, unkempt, and stained with urine, and she displayed a ravenous appetite, indicative of prolonged malnutrition. The vet noted that her condition could have developed over weeks, possibly longer, if she had been fed substandard or insufficient amounts of food.
Major, an eight-month-old Malinois, was also in a dire state, with a body condition score of one out of five, showing visible ribs and pelvic bones. He had scars from past trauma on his face, and his limbs were stained with urine, reflecting poor hygiene and husbandry. Rocco, estimated to be between six and nine months old, was similarly underweight, with extensive coat issues, urine and faecal odour, and signs of neglect.
The puppies, aged between three and four weeks, were found with foul odours of faeces and grease, their coats stained with urine and unkempt. Although Bermingham allowed Luna to nurse the puppies, she provided little to no assistance in their care, risking bacterial infections and further health complications.
The veterinarian emphasized that the dogs’ deteriorated conditions could not have occurred overnight. It would have taken weeks of inadequate or no proper feeding for them to reach such a state, and ongoing poor nutrition could have worsened their health further. Bermingham subsequently pleaded guilty to four charges under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
In court, it was revealed that Bermingham was experiencing personal and financial difficulties at the time, which she admitted had led her to neglect her responsibilities towards her pets. The district judge condemned her for taking on the care of three adult dogs and a litter of puppies without the means to properly care for them. The judge stated that it was her sole responsibility to ensure their well-being, including providing food, water, exercise, and a safe environment. Instead, she allowed the puppies to be born and kept them in the hope of selling them, despite her inability to care for them properly.
After the case, Inspector Reid commented on the importance of responsible pet ownership, stressing that owners must seek help if they find themselves unable to meet their animals’ needs. All the dogs were surrendered to the RSPCA and have since recovered well. They received care at the charity’s centres in Derby and Burton-upon-Trent and have now been rehomed.
As part of her sentence, Bermingham received a 12-month community order, including 70 hours of unpaid work, 10 days of rehabilitation, a £400 fine, and a £114 victim surcharge. She was also disqualified from owning dogs for seven years, a ban that will last until November 2031.