SAMANTHA MILLER FROM POOLE FACES 10-YEAR BAN AFTER CRUELTY TO DOGS IN CYPRUS AND POOL

Samantha Jade Miller, also known as Sam Roberts, born on December 19, 1978, and residing on Victoria Road in Poole, has been convicted of causing unnecessary suffering to her pets and neglecting their basic needs. The case revealed a disturbing pattern of animal cruelty involving her two dogs, Charlie and Tia, which were left in a state of severe neglect while she was away on holidays in Cyprus.

Between November 15, 2015, and January 5, 2016, Miller was found guilty of multiple charges related to her failure to care for her animals properly. She admitted to causing pain and suffering to protected animals and neglecting their health and well-being. Despite her claims of financial hardship, which she cited as the reason for not seeking veterinary treatment, her neglect was evident to those who inspected her home.

When an RSPCA inspector visited her residence in Poole, he was informed by one of her daughters that Miller was in Cyprus for the third time within a year. The inspector observed that Charlie, a crossbreed, was suffering from an untreated skin condition that caused him significant pain. The dog's skin was riddled with fleas, open wounds, sores, and conjunctivitis, indicating a state of extreme discomfort and suffering. The inspector noted that the dog was in agony and needed urgent medical attention.

Over the course of the investigation, the RSPCA conducted four visits to Miller’s home. During these visits, officers provided her with advice on caring for her animals, including feeding them properly and taking them to a veterinarian. However, Miller failed to follow this guidance. Despite being given food for her dogs, she criticized the provisions, and her neglect continued. As her dogs' conditions worsened, the RSPCA intervened and removed them from her care to ensure their safety.

Throughout the court proceedings, Miller maintained that she was overwhelmed by debt and unable to afford veterinary care. She expressed shame over her actions and claimed she did not realize how serious her dogs’ health issues had become. The court heard that her neglect had caused the animals considerable pain and suffering, which could have been alleviated with proper treatment.

Following the conviction, RSPCA inspector Jo Story commented to the Daily Echo, stating, “I think it is an appropriate sentence. If she didn’t understand it was serious, she wouldn’t understand how to look after other animals. We really try to provide help and guidance and my colleague could not have done any more. She ignored the advice continually.”

Both Charlie and Tia recovered under the care of the RSPCA and were subsequently rehomed to loving families. As part of her sentence, Miller was ordered to complete 240 hours of unpaid work, pay a victim surcharge of £60, and was banned from keeping animals for ten years, a ban that will expire in December 2026. The case highlights the importance of animal welfare and the consequences of neglecting those who cannot speak for themselves, especially in cases where owners are unable or unwilling to provide necessary care.