CONVICTED (2023) | Laura Tate, born 2 February 1989, previously of Union Street, Liverpool L3 but now of 38 MacDonald Road, Wyken, Coventry CV2 5FF – left a dog and cat to starve to death in squalor. Laura Tate’s pets were found dead after being abandoned in a squalid Liverpool flat without food or water. The deceased animals were found by the property’s landlord on April 14, 2022, after Tate had moved out and left them behind. Genghis, a black and white bull breed dog was found dead in the hallway after being shut in the lounge with no food or water. He had escaped from the lounge through a hole in the door. Tiggy, a long-haired ginger cat, was found deceased amongst rubbish in one of the bedrooms. Both of the animals were decomposing and had most likely been dead for several days at the flat on Union Street, Liverpool city centre.. Photos show the flat covered in waste with litter and empty bags of pet food strewn on the floor. Another picture shows the hole Genghis made to get out of the filthy living room. RSPCA Inspector, Leanne Cooper, attended the property, she said: “On approach to the door of the flat I could smell a strong, foul smell which smelt like rotting flesh. “This smell increased when the door was opened and when I went inside it was overpowering. “I could immediately see a dead dog laying in the hallway.” She added: “The dog was a black bull breed type and looked to be very underweight with ribs, spine and hips prominent. “I realised I couldn’t see the dog’s eyes and so it appeared to me that he had been dead for some time and was in the stages of decomposition. “The whole floor of the lounge area was covered in dried faeces – some of which were mouldy – with no clean area to stand in. “I couldn’t see any evidence of food or water provided.” The vet who examined the animals concluded they died of dehydration, telling the court: “From the information provided it is not possible to conclude accurately how long they had been deceased when discovered on April 14 (2022), although the absence of eyes suggests they had been dead for at least several days.” “However, it is reasonable to conclude they died while housed within the flat and at that time they did not have access to drinking water and the environment was unsuitable by virtue of numerous faeces deposits and physical injury hazards such as sharp edged tin cans and shards of glass. “In the absence of water, both likely died of dehydration. “Dehydration causes suffering via mechanisms of pain, disorientation, weakness, eventual collapse, organ failure and death.” Tate pleaded guilty to two offences following a prosecution by the RSPCA. The court heard in mitigation that she had moved out to live with a friend but planned on getting her own place and retrieving her pets. She said their deaths had “broken her heart”. Sentencing | 20-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months. 20 days of rehabilitation activity; 100 hours of unpaid work. Disqualified from keeping any animals for ten years (expires October 2033). Liverpool Echo ITV News