RACHEL GOODWIN FROM DEWSBURY STARVES RABBITS AND GUINEA PIGS TO DEATH AND SKIPS COURT HEARING

Rachel Louise Goodwin, a woman born around 1990 and residing on Broomer Street in Dewsbury, has been found guilty of heinous animal cruelty involving the starvation and neglect of multiple pets. The case came to light after authorities discovered the tragic remains of four rabbits and two guinea pigs at her residence, all of whom had succumbed to severe neglect.

Goodwin, a single mother of seven children, was scheduled to appear before the Kirklees Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, August 15, 2018. However, she failed to attend her court hearing, leading the case to be heard in her absence. The court found her guilty on charges that included causing unnecessary suffering to animals and failing to meet their basic needs, as stipulated under the Animal Welfare Act.

The investigation was initiated after a distressing discovery on January 2, 2018, when a rabbit named Ginger was found sitting under a car on Broomer Street. An RSPCA officer responded to the scene and took the rabbit into custody. Further inquiries revealed that Ginger was likely a victim of the same neglect that affected the other animals at Goodwin’s home.

Following this, an RSPCA inspector, Kris Walker, visited Goodwin’s address to determine if Ginger belonged to her. During the visit, the inspector was met with a heartbreaking scene: the remains of four rabbits and two guinea pigs were found in outdoor hutches in the garden. Some of the animals were in advanced stages of decomposition, indicating they had been dead for several days, while others had been dead for as little as 24 hours, according to veterinary evidence. One rabbit, named Spike, had been dead for approximately three days, while rabbits Rihanna and Selena had died more recently.

Tragically, the remains of guinea pig Tinkerbell were incomplete, with half of her body missing, making it impossible to determine how long she had been deceased. The conditions of the hutches were deplorable, described as filthy and lacking basic necessities such as food and water. Inspector Walker noted that the neglect was evident and severe, with the animals suffering immensely due to the lack of care.

Ginger, the surviving rabbit, was fortunate enough to be rescued and was subsequently rehomed after being signed over to the RSPCA. The inspector remarked that Ginger’s access to grass and outdoor environment likely contributed to her survival, contrasting sharply with the conditions faced by the other animals. The case highlights the tragic consequences of neglect and the importance of animal welfare laws in protecting vulnerable creatures from such cruelty.