WOMAN GIVEN FIVE YEAR ANIMAL BAN FOR ALLOWING FRENCH BULLDOG PUPPY TO STARVE
A woman from Muswell Hill has been banned from owning all animals after pleading guilty to failing to meet the needs of her seven month old bulldog puppy, who had been taken to a veterinary practice in a severely emaciated state.The puppy, named Leo, was brought in on February 8 in a collapsed and near-death condition, weighing just 3.34kg with a body condition score of only one out of nine.
A veterinarian confirmed Leo was suffering from hypothermia and described his condition as life-threatening due to prolonged starvation.
An expert vet reported that Leo showed signs of long-term undernourishment, including blood abnormalities and musculoskeletal underdevelopment, and was at immediate risk of death without urgent care.
Whitechurch claimed she had been hospitalized and unable to care for Leo, but the court was told she failed this animal despite her personal health issues.
Leo recovered rapidly under veterinary care, gaining 2kg in ten days, and was taken into the care of the RSPCA, where he fully recovered and was rehomed.
Inspector Shahnaz Ahmed from the RSPCA, who led the investigation, remarked that Leo was bright, alert, and capable of mobility when checked on February 20, with evident improvement in his condition.
Whitechurch was disqualified from owning animals for five years and was ordered to pay costs of £500, a fine of £120, and a victim surcharge of £48.
The court acknowledged her health issues but emphasized that Leo's condition did not develop overnight and that she had neglected him despite her personal problems.
