VICKI BALL OF HORNCASTLE SENTENCED FOR CRUELTY TO DOG NED IN 2019

Vicki Ann Ball, born on 28 July 1981 and residing at Mark Avenue, Horncastle LN9 5BD, was convicted in 2019 for neglecting her cockerpoo, Ned, leading to the dog's death. Ball, described as remorseless, allowed her dog to become so severely neglected that Ned had to be euthanised on welfare grounds.

The court heard that Vicki Ball pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to Ned, who was found in a collapsed state by an examining veterinarian. The dog’s coat was heavily matted with faeces and urine, and his skin was covered in open wounds infested with maggots.

In June 2018, Ball took Ned to a dog rescue claiming she had found him on her lawn. The rescue promptly took Ned to a vet, who decided that euthanasia was necessary to alleviate his suffering. Ball’s attitude was described as callous and unrepentant.

During an interview with the RSPCA, Ball stated she had previously owned Ned but gave him away on Facebook as 'free to a good home' in early 2018; however, she could not produce any evidence of this. An RSPCA inspector visited her home and observed a dismantled run at the side of her house, which contained dog faeces.

A witness testified that they had recently seen Ball with Ned, and that the dog was microchipped to her. Ned exhibited multiple skin lesions that were infested with maggots, indicating severe neglect.

RSPCA inspector Kate Burris described the case as "one of the most distressing I have dealt with because of the utter lack of any emotion or empathy displayed by the owner towards this dog."

The court considered Ball’s guilty plea and her lack of previous convictions. It was noted that she found caring for Ned difficult due to family commitments and his behaviour.

As part of her sentence, the court imposed a 12-month community order with 120 hours of unpaid work, a fine, and charges totaling £584. Additionally, Ball was disqualified from keeping animals for five years, a restriction that expired in March 2024.