NATALIE DENDRI'S CRUELTY IN BENWELL: FERRET ABUSE AND DRUNKEN BEHAVIOR IN NEWCASTLE

In May 2018, a disturbing incident unfolded in Benwell, Newcastle upon Tyne, involving local resident Natalie Dendri, born around 1979, of Colston Street. The events came to light during a court trial where she was convicted of animal cruelty and public disorderly conduct.

According to court proceedings, Dendri was observed engaging in a brutal act against her pet ferret, named Posh Spice. Witnesses reported seeing her throw the small animal into the air with apparent force and then repeatedly punch her. The ferret, clearly distressed, attempted to escape her grasp, but Dendri caught her again and continued her assault. The incident occurred just before 2 pm on May 31, 2018, on Armstrong Road, a busy street in the area.

A driver passing by witnessed the scene and described seeing a woman with a furry object at the roadside. The woman threw the animal into the air and then began hitting it with significant severity. The ferret struggled to free itself but was caught once more by Dendri, who struck her repeatedly with clenched fists. This eyewitness account was crucial in establishing the sequence of events that led to her arrest.

Following the incident, police officers responded promptly. PC Lewis Calboutin was dispatched to the scene and found Dendri sitting on the grass verge beside Armstrong Road. The officer noted that she appeared intoxicated and that the ferret, which was lying in the sun, showed signs of dehydration—panting and lethargic. The officer described her as visibly under the influence of alcohol.

Police requested Dendri to accompany them to a nearby vehicle so she could be taken home and her pet’s welfare could be assessed. During the journey, she was shouting and swearing, and upon arrival at her residence, she vomited inside the police vehicle. When asked to exit the vehicle, she continued her abusive language and shockingly dropped her ferret from a standard height onto the ground.

Subsequently, Dendri was arrested on suspicion of animal cruelty and public disorder. The ferret, Posh Spice, was taken to a veterinary clinic for examination and treatment. Fortunately, the animal recovered from her injuries and was later placed in a shelter for care.

During police interviews, Dendri denied being intoxicated at the time of the incident and claimed she had not mistreated her pet. She pleaded not guilty to the charges at an earlier hearing. However, the court found her guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal and being drunk and disorderly after the trial, which proceeded in her absence due to her failure to attend.

It was also revealed that Dendri had a prior history of misconduct, including an admission of assaulting a police officer at a police station following her arrest on the same day. The court heard that she had kept ferrets for several years but no longer owned any pets after the incident involving Posh Spice.

Her defense attorney, Janice Hall, highlighted her mental health struggles, noting that Dendri had previously been sectioned due to her mental health issues and is now under the care of mental health professionals. Ms. Hall emphasized that Dendri struggles with self-care and is not in a position to properly care for animals.

District Judge Kate Meek addressed the court, stating, “You caused unnecessary suffering to a ferret whether you meant to or not. More to the point, you carried on doing so.” She acknowledged the complex issues surrounding Dendri’s mental health but indicated that a custodial sentence would only delay her access to necessary support.

On February 11, 2018, Dendri was sentenced to a 12-month community order, requiring her to work with probation services on her drug and alcohol issues. She was also fined £50 and ordered to pay £250 in court costs. Additionally, she received an unlimited ban on keeping animals, effective for at least two years, after which she would need to apply to the court to have the ban lifted.

This case underscores the serious consequences of animal cruelty and highlights the importance of mental health support for offenders. The incident remains a stark reminder of the need for vigilance and compassion in addressing such troubling behavior in communities like Benwell and Newcastle upon Tyne.