TARA LOUISE BRIDGES OF ROTHERHAM SENTENCED FOR PET NEGLECT AND STARVATION CRUELTY

In a disturbing case that shocked the community of Rotherham, Tara Louise Bridges, born on August 5, 1986, was found guilty of neglecting her pet dogs to the point of death. Bridges, residing on Beaconsfield Road in Rotherham S60, was responsible for the tragic demise of her two beloved dogs, Lila, a three-year-old, and Moxy, aged five. The heartbreaking discovery was made during a visit by RSPCA inspectors on January 30, 2018, when they uncovered the lifeless bodies of the animals within her home.

Inspectors reported that both dogs had succumbed to severe starvation, with the evidence revealing a prolonged period of neglect. Lila was found with maggots in one of her eye sockets, a clear sign of how long she had been dead before discovery. The smell of decay was overwhelming at the property, indicating that the animals had been dead for an extended period. It is believed that Lila had died approximately 10 to 15 days prior to the inspection, while Moxy had been dead for between three and seven days when the inspectors arrived.

During police interviews, Tara Bridges admitted that she had lived alone at the residence and was solely responsible for the dogs. She claimed to have owned both since they were puppies and insisted that they had been in good health just a day before the inspection. However, the evidence told a different story. The RSPCA prosecutor, Andrew Vickers, stated outside the court that the dogs had clearly suffered before their deaths. Bridges attempted to justify the situation by suggesting that the dogs might have ingested some cannabis found on the carpet, but this explanation was dismissed.

A post-mortem examination confirmed that the dogs died due to a lack of food and water, highlighting the severity of neglect. Despite her absence from the court hearing, Bridges was convicted of the charges in her absence, prompting magistrates to issue a warrant for her arrest. The court sentenced her to 18 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months, and ordered her to pay £300 in costs. Additionally, she was banned from owning or keeping pets for a period of 10 years, a ban that will expire in October 2028.

This case underscores the importance of animal welfare and the consequences of neglect, serving as a stark reminder of the cruelty that can occur behind closed doors in communities like Rotherham.