SARAH HUNT FROM SALTNEY CHESTER CONVICTED FOR ABANDONING AND MISTREATING DOG OUTSIDE IN A MESSY GARDEN

Sarah Hunt, born around 1973 and residing on Boundary Lane in Saltney, Chester, has been found guilty of severe animal neglect and mistreatment involving a dog named Taf. The heartbreaking case revealed that Hunt left the 12-year-old cross-breed spaniel to die alone outside her property, surrounded by filth and waste, with little regard for the animal’s suffering.

Hunt and her partner had acquired Taf from a farm in January 2022. Initially, the dog appeared to be in reasonable condition, with a neighbor noting that Taf looked quiet but was in good health at that time, despite having long nails. The dog was primarily kept outdoors, and the neighbor, concerned about Taf’s wellbeing, observed him in her garden on one occasion. She noticed that Taf was looking increasingly thin and was worried about his deteriorating condition.

In her witness statement, the neighbor explained that she had been feeding Taf by throwing food over the fence, as she was concerned about his emaciated state. She also reported her concerns to the RSPCA. Over time, she observed Taf’s condition worsen further, with her describing his eyes as “sunken” and noting that all of his ribs were visible. The garden where Taf was kept was described as a “mess,” strewn with food, waste, and over 50 bags of rubbish, indicating neglect and poor living conditions.

The situation was reported again to the RSPCA, prompting an inspection of the property on March 18, 2022. During the visit, Hunt informed the inspector that Taf had died the previous day and had been buried in the backyard. It was revealed that Taf had never been taken to a veterinarian during his life and had been kept confined in an outhouse.

Following the discovery of the body, the RSPCA exhumed Taf and arranged for a post-mortem examination. The results showed that Taf was in a very poor physical state, weighing only 14 kilograms. The examination revealed muscle wastage and a complete lack of fat, indicating severe malnutrition. The veterinarian also found foreign objects such as cotton and grass inside Taf’s stomach. The presence of cotton had caused peritonitis, leading to septic shock, which was ultimately the cause of Taf’s death. The vet’s expert testimony indicated that Taf had been suffering in this condition for up to three weeks.

During court proceedings, Hunt’s solicitor described her client as an “extremely vulnerable adult” who was “very remorseful for what has happened.” The court learned that Hunt and her partner had attempted to rehome Taf, but the dog did not get along with the other two dogs at the property, which led to Taf being kept outside. Hunt later acknowledged that, in hindsight, Taf should have been rehomed to prevent his suffering. She stated that she was feeding Taf twice daily and providing water.

By March, her partner was in custody, and Hunt admitted she was “in a bad way and unable to think rationally,” leading her to “hide herself away.” She had spoken to her mother, who advised her to take Taf to the vet if his condition worsened. Hunt had planned to take Taf to the vet once her partner was out of custody on March 28, but Taf died before that could happen.

The court recognized that Hunt’s intentions were good, but her care was described as “incompetent.” She is no longer with her partner and is attempting to rebuild her life. Regarding her other dogs, one was diagnosed with cancer and subsequently died, while another named Amy remains in her ownership. Due to her ban from owning dogs, Amy will need to be rehomed.

Hunt was sentenced to 12 weeks in prison, suspended for two years, along with a 20-day rehabilitation activity requirement. She was also ordered to pay £500 in costs and a £154 victim surcharge. Additionally, she is banned from keeping dogs for two years, with the restriction expiring in March 2025.