KERRI OGILBY FROM LONDONDERRY SENTENCED FOR ANIMAL ABUSE IN SHOCKING CASE

Kerri Leanne Ogilby, born around 1984 and most recently residing on Great James Street in Londonderry, has been found guilty of a disturbing case of animal neglect and abuse. The incident involved her leaving a small Shih-Tzu dog in an unoccupied flat for several days without providing any food or water, a situation that ultimately led to the dog's rescue and her subsequent conviction.

Ogilby, who has a long history of criminal activity, now adds animal cruelty to her extensive list of offenses. Her criminal record includes a total of 96 previous convictions, encompassing crimes such as burglary, disorderly conduct, and assaulting police officers. Despite her numerous past convictions, her latest case drew significant attention due to the severity of the neglect involved.

The court proceedings revealed that Ogilby was convicted in her absence in May 2019 of causing unnecessary suffering to the unnamed dog. She failed to appear for her scheduled court hearing, prompting the issuance of a warrant for her arrest. It was only recently that she was brought before the court to face the charges.

The case originated from a report received on December 22, 2017, which raised concerns about the welfare of a dog kept in Ogilby's basement flat. Neighbors or concerned parties had noticed her absence for several days and expressed worry about the well-being of her pet. Despite attempts to contact Ogilby, all efforts to reach her were unsuccessful.

Subsequently, animal welfare officers responded to the scene. When they arrived at the basement flat, there was no response to their calls, and they observed tape over the door lock, indicating that the flat had not been entered. During their visit, they could hear the barking of a dog inside, which heightened their concern.

Deciding to take further action, the officers forced entry into the flat. Inside, they discovered the male Shih-Tzu confined in a small bathroom. The conditions were appalling: the dog was without access to food or water, and the bathroom floor was littered with faeces, shredded toilet paper, and empty alcohol containers. The dog's physical condition was visibly poor; his hip bones and ribs could be felt through his thick coat, indicating severe malnutrition and dehydration.

Following the rescue, the dog was seized by animal welfare officers on the advice of a veterinarian appointed by the local council. The vet confirmed that the dog was suffering from poor body condition, dehydration, and was a victim of abandonment. After receiving necessary medical treatment and care, the dog eventually recovered and was successfully rehomed to a caring family.

In court, Ogilby was sentenced to six months' imprisonment on each of the two charges related to animal cruelty. Additionally, she was ordered to pay a fine of £700. The court also imposed a lifetime disqualification, prohibiting her from owning or caring for any animals in any capacity, reflecting the seriousness of her actions and the need to protect future animals from harm.