Cruel dog owner let dog starve to death in empty Exeter house
A woman has been banned from keeping animals for life after leaving her dog to starve in an empty property in Exeter. Sian Rees abandoned Kimmi in squalid conditions.
Rescuers from the RSPCA were called to Wykes Road in Exeter on February 11 to a report from the police that a dead dog had been discovered in the property. On arrival, they found the flat in a state of disarray, with a large amount of faeces on the floor and on the partially destroyed furniture.
Kimmi was dead on the floor of a bedroom. She was emaciated and in the early stages of decomposition. In the flat were signs of a desperate attempt by Kimmi to scavenge food, including unsuccessful attempts to bite open a can of food, and tearing open cushions, ripping the settee and damaging furniture.
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It was noted that she had an injury to her mouth believed to have been caused by trying to bite open the cans of food. There was no water in the toilet bowl indicating that she had drunk this – as there was no other water available for her.
There was no sign of any food for her in the property – albeit multiple bags of empty dog food. Rees was located at her mother’s home and claimed she had made arrangements with a friend to collect Kimmi on the day she left the address but could not provide details for them.
She said she has had no further contact with them since and did not check if Kimmi had been collected.
Rees, 29, was sentenced to 15 weeks imprisonment, suspended for 18 months. She was also placed under 18 months supervision, with 20 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement (RAR) Days, and ordered to pay costs.
She pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a female bull breed, Kimmi, by failing to ensure that the animal received adequate nutrition for its needs and ought reasonably to have known that the failure to act would have the effect of causing the animal to suffer or be likely to do so.
RSPCA Inspector Miranda Albinson, who investigated for the animal welfare charity, said: "The circumstances of Kimmi’s death are so tragic, and were caused because her owner showed such shocking disregard for her welfare.
"Owning a dog like Kimmi is a privilege, so it is heartbreaking to think what she went through.
“Dogs feel pain and suffering just like we do and always deserve to be shown kindness and compassion. If any pet owner is struggling to care for their animal we’d encourage them to reach out to a local charity or organisation who can help.”
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