PAULA DAVIDSON FROM ASHTON FACES CRUELTY CHARGES IN BRISTOL
| Red Rose Database
Ashton Animal Abuser
In a disturbing case that has shocked the local community, Paula Jane Davidson, born on April 27, 1979, and most recently residing on Ashton Drive in Bristol, has been found guilty of severe animal neglect and cruelty. The incident involved her leaving behind two husky-type dogs and eight cats in a derelict property, where they suffered from extreme starvation and neglect.
Davidson pleaded guilty to charges of causing unnecessary suffering to the animals by failing to provide them with adequate food, water, and proper supervision. The court heard that five of the cats had already died from starvation, while the remaining cats had resorted to eating their deceased companions in a desperate attempt to survive. The two huskies had been confined separately in a small kitchen and bathroom, both of which were found to be heavily contaminated with their own excrement, indicating a complete neglect of basic hygiene and care.
During the court proceedings, magistrates viewed distressing footage recorded by Avon and Somerset police officers after they forcibly entered the abandoned property. The video footage revealed the appalling conditions inside the house, with officers gagging and retching as they navigated through the rooms. One officer was heard saying, “I can’t breathe. My eyes are hurting, the smell is so bad,” highlighting the overwhelming stench and filth present in the premises.
An RSPCA inspector was called to the scene and identified the carcasses of five young cats, which had been partially eaten by the starving animals left behind. The floor was littered with fur, legs, tails, and skulls still attached to spinal cords, painting a grim picture of the suffering endured by the animals. The dogs, confined in a small, filthy space, had been forced to sleep in their own waste, further emphasizing the neglect.
Prosecutor Kate Burnham-Davies described the case as one of “sustained negligence and cruelty,” emphasizing the prolonged suffering inflicted upon the animals. She detailed the scene, stating that “entrails and clumps of fur were strewn across the floor,” and that police officers found it impossible to walk without stepping on excrement and carcasses.
Prior to the police intervention, authorities had spoken to Davidson multiple times, offering her the opportunity to surrender the animals to the RSPCA for their care. Despite these offers, Davidson refused, claiming she was living with a friend and returning twice daily to care for the animals. However, neighbors reported that the house had been deserted for days or even weeks, contradicting her claims.
During the court hearing, Davidson’s solicitor highlighted her mental health struggles, explaining that she had been sectioned following the death of her grandmother, who had lived with her at the property. The solicitor described her as suffering from severe depression, a personality disorder, and transient psychotic disorder, and noted that she was receiving treatment at a psychiatric facility.
Despite her mental health issues, the court emphasized that the prolonged neglect and cruelty demonstrated a clear failure to care for the animals. The presiding magistrate stated that Davidson had refused help when it was offered, and that her actions caused “unnecessary and prolonged cruelty to cats and dogs in her care.”
As a result, Davidson was sentenced to a 12-week suspended prison term, with a requirement to undergo 25 days of rehabilitation. She was also ordered to pay £250 in costs and charges, and was banned from keeping any animals indefinitely. The court’s decision underscores the seriousness of animal cruelty and the importance of accountability, even when mental health issues are involved.
In a related case, Davidson faced further charges for neglecting her 90-year-old grandmother, Betty Long, who was found alone in a house filled with animal feces on Ashton Drive. Police discovered Mrs. Long, suffering from dementia, bruised and sitting on an overflowing commode. The court heard that Davidson had been socializing frequently during August and September 2017, leaving her grandmother unattended for extended periods. Sadly, Mrs. Long passed away shortly after the police raid. This case further highlights the pattern of neglect associated with Davidson’s name in Bristol.
Davidson pleaded guilty to charges of causing unnecessary suffering to the animals by failing to provide them with adequate food, water, and proper supervision. The court heard that five of the cats had already died from starvation, while the remaining cats had resorted to eating their deceased companions in a desperate attempt to survive. The two huskies had been confined separately in a small kitchen and bathroom, both of which were found to be heavily contaminated with their own excrement, indicating a complete neglect of basic hygiene and care.
During the court proceedings, magistrates viewed distressing footage recorded by Avon and Somerset police officers after they forcibly entered the abandoned property. The video footage revealed the appalling conditions inside the house, with officers gagging and retching as they navigated through the rooms. One officer was heard saying, “I can’t breathe. My eyes are hurting, the smell is so bad,” highlighting the overwhelming stench and filth present in the premises.
An RSPCA inspector was called to the scene and identified the carcasses of five young cats, which had been partially eaten by the starving animals left behind. The floor was littered with fur, legs, tails, and skulls still attached to spinal cords, painting a grim picture of the suffering endured by the animals. The dogs, confined in a small, filthy space, had been forced to sleep in their own waste, further emphasizing the neglect.
Prosecutor Kate Burnham-Davies described the case as one of “sustained negligence and cruelty,” emphasizing the prolonged suffering inflicted upon the animals. She detailed the scene, stating that “entrails and clumps of fur were strewn across the floor,” and that police officers found it impossible to walk without stepping on excrement and carcasses.
Prior to the police intervention, authorities had spoken to Davidson multiple times, offering her the opportunity to surrender the animals to the RSPCA for their care. Despite these offers, Davidson refused, claiming she was living with a friend and returning twice daily to care for the animals. However, neighbors reported that the house had been deserted for days or even weeks, contradicting her claims.
During the court hearing, Davidson’s solicitor highlighted her mental health struggles, explaining that she had been sectioned following the death of her grandmother, who had lived with her at the property. The solicitor described her as suffering from severe depression, a personality disorder, and transient psychotic disorder, and noted that she was receiving treatment at a psychiatric facility.
Despite her mental health issues, the court emphasized that the prolonged neglect and cruelty demonstrated a clear failure to care for the animals. The presiding magistrate stated that Davidson had refused help when it was offered, and that her actions caused “unnecessary and prolonged cruelty to cats and dogs in her care.”
As a result, Davidson was sentenced to a 12-week suspended prison term, with a requirement to undergo 25 days of rehabilitation. She was also ordered to pay £250 in costs and charges, and was banned from keeping any animals indefinitely. The court’s decision underscores the seriousness of animal cruelty and the importance of accountability, even when mental health issues are involved.
In a related case, Davidson faced further charges for neglecting her 90-year-old grandmother, Betty Long, who was found alone in a house filled with animal feces on Ashton Drive. Police discovered Mrs. Long, suffering from dementia, bruised and sitting on an overflowing commode. The court heard that Davidson had been socializing frequently during August and September 2017, leaving her grandmother unattended for extended periods. Sadly, Mrs. Long passed away shortly after the police raid. This case further highlights the pattern of neglect associated with Davidson’s name in Bristol.