LEAH O’CONNOR FROM TODMORDEN ABANDONS DOGS TO DIE IN FILTHY HALIFAX HOUSE

Leah Mae O’Connor, born on June 23, 1999, and residing on Summerfield Road in Todmorden OL14, was found guilty in 2024 of neglecting two dogs to the point of death by starvation and dehydration. The tragic case unfolded after she vacated a property on Melrose Street, Halifax, in February 2023, leaving behind her pets in a state of severe suffering.

Authorities, specifically the RSPCA, were alerted to the situation when the landlord of the abandoned house discovered the neglected animals. Upon inspection, the conditions inside the property were found to be appalling. Inspector Demi Hodby described the scene as being filled with filth, including faeces and urine covering the floors, with rubbish and other hazards scattered throughout the space. The stench was overwhelming, causing irritation to the eyes and nose, making it nearly impossible to stay inside for any length of time.

Within this squalid environment, the remains of a Rottweiler puppy named Rox were discovered inside a cage draped with a blue blanket. The cage was devoid of any food or water, and it was evident that the dog had been desperately trying to escape, as one of its legs was protruding through the bars and wrapped around them. Inspector Hodby described the scene as heartbreaking, noting the emaciated condition of Rox and the apparent suffering she endured leading up to her death.

In addition to Rox, the other dog, Doris, a bulldog, was found in a critically weak state. She was severely dehydrated, covered in fleas, and shivering from the cold. She was so weak that she could not stand and had to be carried into a veterinary clinic for urgent treatment. Veterinarians confirmed that Doris had eaten plastic in an attempt to survive, a sign of her extreme starvation. Despite being in the house for over a week, her condition worsened, and she was ultimately euthanized to end her suffering.

During police interviews, Leah O’Connor claimed she had lied to neighbors and family members, asserting that Doris and Rox had been rehomed to a farm. She told Inspector Hodby that she had left the property and believed someone had broken in, as she was unaware of the dogs’ continued presence. It was later established that she had deliberately concealed the dogs’ suffering and the deplorable state of the house, refusing entry to anyone who tried to investigate before abandoning the animals to die inside.

In her defense, the court was informed that O’Connor was dealing with personal issues, including a diagnosis of low maturity, struggles with alcohol and drug addiction—which she was actively seeking help for—and mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety. Nevertheless, the magistrates emphasized that the prolonged neglect and abandonment of the dogs amounted to a deliberate act, possibly bordering on sadistic behavior.

O’Connor pleaded guilty to two counts of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal. The court sentenced her to a suspended 20-week prison term and ordered her to complete 33 days of rehabilitation activities. Additionally, she was banned from owning or caring for animals indefinitely.

Following the case, Inspector Hodby expressed her distress over the suffering endured by Rox and Doris. She stated, “The sight of Rox, who had wasted away in that filthy cage, unable to escape, is something that will stay with me, and those who discovered her, for a long time. Along with Doris, she’d endured unimaginable suffering over a prolonged period of time, having been abandoned and forgotten about.”