REBECCA HOPKINS ABERGELE PET ABANDONMENT SCANDAL: SENTENCE REVOKED BUT PET BAN CUT TO THREE YEARS

Rebecca Hopkins, a woman born around 1995 and currently residing on Marine Road in Pensarn, Abergele, found herself at the center of a serious animal welfare case that drew significant attention from local authorities and the courts. The case stemmed from her neglectful treatment of multiple pets, which were left without basic necessities such as food and water, leading to a series of investigations and legal proceedings.

In September 2023, Hopkins was initially sentenced to a period of ten weeks’ imprisonment, which was suspended for a duration of 12 months. Alongside this, she was disqualified from owning or keeping any pets for a period of five years. This decision was made after she admitted to charges related to causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal and neglecting her duty of care to ensure the welfare of her animals.

However, the legal situation took a turn when Hopkins appealed the sentence on March 1, 2024. During the appeal hearing, presided over by Judge Timothy Petts, the original suspended sentence was revoked. More notably, the court reduced her disqualification period from five years to just three years, citing the original length as “too long” and deeming the shorter period “more realistic.”

Judge Petts emphasized that the original five-year ban was excessive, especially considering the circumstances of the case involving a woman who had abandoned her pets. The court acknowledged the distress this ban caused Hopkins but maintained that her responsibility for the animals’ suffering warranted a significant restriction. The new three-year ban on pet ownership is set to expire in March 2027.

Details of the case reveal that the neglect was severe and prolonged. On March 30, 2023, officers from local animal welfare authorities visited Hopkins’ then-residence on Bryn Trewan, Caergeiliog, Anglesey, in response to an unrelated matter. Despite receiving no response, officers observed through a gap in the blinds that the property was in a deplorable state, with faeces scattered across the floor and two dogs inside suffering from neglect, with no access to food or water. One of the dogs was seen yelping and attempting to jump over a baby gate, indicating distress.

The following day, officers returned to find the dogs still confined in the kitchen, with the situation having worsened, as evidenced by an increase in faeces. At that time, Hopkins was also caring for two rats and two guinea pigs, all of which were housed without food or water, raising further concerns about her ability to care for her animals properly.

Later, officers located Hopkins sleeping rough in Colwyn Bay, where she explained her reluctance to return to her Anglesey home due to issues with mould. On April 15, 2023, authorities forcibly entered her property on Anglesey, overwhelmed by the smell of faeces and urine. Inside, the animals appeared disheveled and neglected, with no access to fresh bedding or water. The guinea pigs’ cages showed signs of neglect, with the urine’s acidity possibly causing burns on their legs. One rat was found to have breathing issues, and another was underweight. Neighbors reported hearing constant barking from the property, further indicating the distress and neglect suffered by the animals.

Following these inspections, Hopkins relinquished custody of all her animals except for one dog. However, after her conviction, she lost the right to keep this remaining pet as well. Her legal representative, Richard Edwards, highlighted that Hopkins had moved to Colwyn Bay to be with her partner, Lewis Ford, who was no longer permitted to reside at her address due to a previous conviction for assault. Ford’s address also prohibited him from keeping animals.

Hopkins sought to appeal the disqualification order, citing her pets as a source of comfort following the loss of custody of her children. Nevertheless, Judge Timothy Petts, along with the magistrates, decided to uphold the ban but reduced its duration from five years to three, acknowledging the emotional impact on her. The new three-year ban will conclude in March 2027, serving as a reminder of the importance of animal welfare and the consequences of neglect.