SALLY WILKINSON FROM ALFRETON SENTENCED AFTER HORRIFIC NEGLECT OF ELDERLY ROTTWEILER IN BLACKWELL

Sally Wilkinson, a resident of Oxford Street, Blackwell, Alfreton DE55 5JT, was at the center of a heartbreaking case of animal neglect that drew significant attention from local authorities and animal welfare organizations. Despite her long-standing association with the area, Wilkinson’s failure to care for her elderly Rottweiler, affectionately named Chunk, resulted in a severe state of suffering that shocked even seasoned inspectors.

On November 12, 2018, Wilkinson appeared before Chesterfield Magistrates’ Court to face charges related to animal welfare violations. She pleaded guilty to two offences, which highlighted her neglect of the dog, who was found in a deplorable condition. The court was told that Chunk, who was 14 years old at the time, was so emaciated and suffering from a chronic skin disease that her breed could hardly be identified.

Inspector Helen Mead of the RSPCA, who was dispatched to investigate the case, described the situation as the worst she had encountered in her 17-year career. The investigation was initiated after a concerned member of the public contacted the charity, prompting an urgent visit to Wilkinson’s home. When Inspector Mead arrived on September 4, 2018, she immediately detected the foul smell of the dog’s untreated skin condition, even from another room.

Upon seeing Chunk, the inspector was horrified. The dog was in an extremely poor state, with her bones visibly protruding through her skin, which was crusted, scabby, bleeding, and thickened due to the untreated skin disease. Her fur was almost entirely absent, save for patches around her paws and some on her back. The dog’s sunken eyes, surrounded by pus, further underscored her suffering. The inspector described her as being in an “appalling state,” and it was clear she had endured significant pain and neglect for an extended period.

Following the inspection, permission was granted to take Chunk to a veterinary clinic. The vets concluded that the dog’s suffering was severe and prolonged, with malnutrition having persisted for at least two months and the skin condition for at least four months. The veterinarian recommended that the kindest course of action was to humanely euthanize her to end her pain.

The court heard that Wilkinson’s neglect was systemic and sustained over a long period, with the judge describing the deterioration of Chunk’s health as “beggars belief.” The inspector emphasized that she had never seen a dog in such a state in her 18-year career, and expressed her deep sadness that the suffering could have been prevented with timely veterinary intervention.

In sentencing, Wilkinson received an eight-week jail sentence, which was suspended for two years. She was also fined £300 and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £75. Most notably, she was handed a lifetime ban on keeping animals, a measure intended to prevent any future neglect or abuse. The case served as a stark reminder of the importance of responsible pet ownership and the devastating consequences of neglecting vulnerable animals in the Alfreton and Blackwell communities.