The body of the dog found in the bathroom of a Lichfield property

A woman who abandoned her dog in a Lichfield property where it slowly starved to death has been disqualified from keeping animals for life.

Cavalier King Charles spaniel Todd was found dead on a pile of rubbish by bailiffs in the property, on Milne Avenue on December 15 last year. His body was shut in the bathroom, which had scratches all up the door.

The body of the dog found in the bathroom of a Lichfield property
The body of the dog found in the bathroom of a Lichfield property

They initially thought he was a toy dog – but on closer inspection realised he was dead. His body was found six weeks after his owner had left the property.

Todd’s owner Susanne Nulty, 39, now of Tatbank Road, Oldbury, appeared at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court on Monday, where she pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to the 11-year-old dog.

RSPCA inspector Laura Bryant, who investigated the case, said: “Nulty had left Todd in the house with no food or drink and made no provisions for anyone to take care of him.

“Nobody knew the dog was in the house, not even the neighbours as they didn’t hear any barking.

“There were two levels of suffering – the physical suffering of starvation and dehydration, and the mental suffering of anxiety and stress, not knowing if anyone was coming for him or when he would be fed.

“It is so sad to think that Todd was locked in this small toilet, with no stimulation, no fresh air, barely any room to move and no contact with another human or animal – on top of the fact that he was slowly starving to death.

“It would have been a miserable existence for him, living in this small, dark room which was covered in rubbish and faeces.

“It is just absolutely awful and stomach-churning to think of the slow, painful and distressing death Todd suffered. There is no excuse to do this to an animal.

“Pet-owners have a legal responsibility to ensure their animals do not suffer – sadly, Nulty failed Todd in the worst possible way.”

As well as the lifetime disqualification order on all animals, magistrates handed Nulty a 12-week prison sentence suspended for 12 months, ordered her to do 100 hours of unpaid work and told her to pay £300 in costs and a £115 victim surcharge.

Founder of Lichfield Live and editor of the site.

2 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Darryl
6 years ago

Nothing mentioned about what her defence was?

Either way, I think the custodial sentence should have been imposed not suspended. These people will never get the message about the unacceptability of their actions if they can pay a fine and walk free from court.

Roy Appleby
6 years ago

They should hang the b####d.
Too bloody lenient!!!!