Canterbury woman banned from keeping pets after starving her dogs
The RSPCA say one of the dogs resembled a 'walking skeleton'
A woman from Canterbury has been banned from owning pets for five years for allowing her two bulldog breed dogs and six puppies to become emaciated, and for keeping them in unsuitable conditions.
Claire Jane Hodgson, 39, f Dorman Avenue North, Aylesham, appeared at Margate Magistrates’ Court after an RSPCA inspector found the female adult dog resembling a ‘walking skeleton’, her six emaciated pups shut in an upstairs room and the male father had been locked in a bathroom.
All were in filthy and hazardous conditions with the puppies found scavenging for food amongst the empty food cans and wrappers as no food was available.
The court heard how RSPCA Inspector Tina Nash visited the property on 3 March 2024 with a police officer, following reports that a puppy had been eaten by another dog at the address.
On arrival, the remains of a dog were discovered in a bin bag outside. Inside the property, Inspector Nash described shocking conditions: “There was broken glass in the hallway, chocolate biscuit wrappers and empty bottles of alcohol strewn about, and a mattress on the floor. The home was dirty, smelled strongly, and appeared not to have been cleaned in quite some time. Dog urine and faeces were trodden into the flooring.”
A brindle and white female dog named Skylar was found in an emaciated state. “She was like a walking skeleton,” said Inspector Nash. “She was subdued and growling, her body condition was 1 out of 9. Her ears were down, tail tucked, and she appeared to be living a miserable existence.”
Six puppies - named White boy, Jacks, Elbow, Luna, White girl and Pirate - were found shut in a room upstairs. “They were all in poor condition. The room was filthy with faeces and urine on the floor, and there were empty food and water bowls. The stench was overwhelming. The pups were desperately trying to eat anything; tins, wrappers, and rubbish, when they left the room,” said Inspector Nash.
When asked to show the dog food, Hodgson admitted there was none left, explaining the dogs had eaten it all. She added that the male dog had been locked in the bathroom because she was disgusted by him after he allegedly ate one of the puppies.
The male dog, Hooch, was also extremely underweight and lethargic, with bones visibly protruding.
All the dogs were signed over into the care of the RSPCA and taken to a vet, where they were found to be suffering from “severe starvation and resulting emaciation.”
As well as the ban on keeping animals for five years she was also fined £225, ordered to pay a £90 victim surcharge, and a £450 contribution to costs when she appeared in court on Monday 18 August.
In mitigation, Hodgson said she had been struggling with health issues and could not afford to feed the animals.
Skylar and four of the puppies have since been successfully rehomed by the RSPCA. Sadly, Hooch and two of the puppies had to be euthanised on veterinary advice.