LEEDS WOMAN KIMBERLEY BARBER SENTENCED FOR CRUELTY TO DOG AND REPTILES IN BRAMLEY

Kimberley Barber, a single mother residing on Wellstone Avenue in Bramley, Leeds, has been found guilty of severe animal neglect involving her elderly dog and two bearded dragons. Born on January 14, 1997, Barber’s actions led to the suffering and near-death of her 13-year-old Boxer cross, Amber, as well as the poor conditions of her reptiles.

Barber’s case came to light after a series of visits by RSPCA inspectors to her home, which is located in the Leeds area. The first visit occurred on December 10, 2023, when Inspector Demi Hodby arrived at Barber’s residence. Despite her claims of having a friend staying at the property, Barber refused to cooperate or respond to welfare assessment requests. This initial visit was part of ongoing concerns raised about the health and wellbeing of Amber, who was reported to be significantly underweight.

Following this, Inspector Hodby returned two days later, on December 12, accompanied by a police officer, after receiving reports of an underweight dog at the address. The sound of a whimpering dog led them to Amber, who was discovered in a deplorable state inside a small, filthy cage. The inspector described the scene, stating that there was no food or water available for Amber, and the bedding within her cage was soaked, foul-smelling, and in a state of disrepair. When released from her confinement, Amber was so weak and emaciated that she could only stagger around the kitchen. The inspector recounted that Amber was in constant search of food, and when given a small amount of remaining food from an empty sealed container, she ate it rapidly, indicating her extreme hunger and malnutrition.

In addition to Amber’s suffering, the inspector found two bearded dragons kept in vivariums within the home. Both reptiles were in a dire state, with one located in the living room and the other in a bedroom. The enclosures lacked essential heating and lighting, and neither dragon had access to water. The temperature inside the vivariums was alarmingly low, ranging from 12°C to 13°C, with zero UV light readings. The inspector noted that these conditions were entirely unsuitable for the reptiles, which require a heat gradient and UV lighting to regulate their body temperature and overall health. The dragons were found flattened at the bottom of their enclosures, attempting to absorb any available warmth, which is indicative of their distress and poor health.

Following the rescue, both Amber and the bearded dragons were taken to veterinary clinics for treatment. Amber was diagnosed with anemia caused by prolonged malnutrition and weighed only 16.5kg, significantly below the healthy weight range of 25kg to 30kg for her size. The vet confirmed that she had not been properly fed for several months, which explained her emaciated condition. The bearded dragons, while not currently unhealthy, had been kept in entirely inappropriate living conditions, which could have led to future health issues.

During the court proceedings at Kirklees Magistrates’ Court on June 26, 2024, Barber pleaded guilty to two offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006. The court was informed that Barber was struggling with mental health issues, including a diagnosis of ADHD, and had been coping poorly following her mother’s death.

Inspector Hodby expressed her relief that intervention had occurred in time to save Amber, stating, “Amber was so close to dying, and if we hadn’t gone into the defendant’s home and taken her at the time we did, she might not have made it. The poor dog was emaciated and left in squalor in a small cage. It looked as though Barber gave up completely feeding her pets.” She added that Amber has since made a remarkable recovery under the care of the RSPCA, with her weight gradually returning to a healthier level.

Ella Green, the Rehoming Coordinator at the RSPCA Halifax, Huddersfield, Bradford and District Branch, highlighted Amber’s progress, saying, “When she arrived, Amber was very skinny, with weak muscles, weighing just 17.8kg. She was rehabilitated in a foster home and has become a lovely, joyful dog. She was placed on our Elderly Animal Rehoming Scheme (EARS) and has now found a caring new family. We’ve worked closely with her new owners to ensure she remains healthy and comfortable in her senior years.”

As for the bearded dragons, they are now thriving after being transferred to Reptilia, a specialist rescue in Ossett. One of the reptiles has already been rehomed, and both are receiving proper care.

In sentencing, Kimberley Barber received eight weeks of imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, along with 15 days of rehabilitation. She was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £154 and costs amounting to £246. Additionally, she is banned from keeping any animals for a period of ten years, a ban that will expire in June 2034.