ST HELENS WOMAN SAMANTHA BEVAN ALLOWED RABBIT ROCCO TO STARVE TO DEATH IN HER HOME TOWN

In a case that has shocked the community of St Helens, Samantha Bevan, a single mother of five, was found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to her pet rabbit, Rocco, which tragically died of malnutrition in October 2016. The incident prompted an investigation by the RSPCA after authorities received credible information indicating that the rabbit had succumbed to neglect within her residence on Fleet Lane.

Prosecutor Peter Mitchell, representing the RSPCA, detailed the sequence of events that led to Bevan’s conviction. He explained that inspectors arrived at her home following reports about the death of the rabbit. During questioning, Bevan admitted that Rocco had died and claimed she had handed the body over to a friend for burial in her garden, citing her inability to bury the animal herself. The friend granted permission for the exhumation of the remains, which revealed the rabbit’s emaciated condition. A post-mortem examination confirmed that Rocco’s death was caused by malnutrition, with the veterinarian estimating that the suffering had persisted for approximately four weeks.

Initially, Bevan denied any wrongdoing, asserting that she had been feeding Rocco broccoli because he had stopped eating rabbit food. However, she later confessed that she was unsure about proper rabbit care, admitting she “didn’t know what she was doing” in terms of looking after the animal. The court was told that her ignorance was a key factor in the neglect, rather than any malicious intent.

District Judge Wendy Lloyd commented on the case, suggesting that Bevan’s actions appeared to stem from a lack of knowledge rather than deliberate cruelty. She emphasized that the suffering of Rocco was evident and that neglect had led to his death. Laurence Lee, defending Bevan, highlighted her circumstances, noting that she was a single parent working part-time at a local café. He explained that Bevan believed Rocco preferred green vegetables over traditional rabbit food and that she cared for him, often bringing him inside during rain. Despite her intentions, the judge pointed out that the suffering was undeniable, stating, “Her animal did suffer. Let’s be honest with one another, it starved to death. You don’t need to be an expert to notice the animal is extremely thin.”

The court heard that Bevan, who had no prior convictions, was deeply distressed by Rocco’s death, as were her children. In sentencing, Judge Lloyd ordered her to complete 40 hours of unpaid community service, pay £385 in costs and charges, and imposed a five-year ban on keeping animals, which expired in March 2022. The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of responsible pet ownership and the consequences of neglect, even when driven by ignorance rather than malice.