Woman banned from keeping animals for life after allowing her dogs to die painful, lingering deaths

A 23 year old woman from Liverpool has been disqualified from keeping animals for life after she left her 2 dogs to starve to death; in a case which was described by magistrates as 1 of the most "horrendous cases of animal neglect" they had seen in Court.

Andrea Davies, from Cherry Lane, Walton, was sentenced at Liverpool Magistrates' Court, on Friday, 6 January 2017, after previously pleading guilty, on 1 December 2017, to causing unnecessary suffering and failing to meet the needs of her 2 male crossbreed dogs called:- Koda and Hachi.

The RSPCA arrived at her former address, in Stepney Grove, Liverpool, after concerns were raised and found the dogs dead in the woman's kitchen. They had been left to fend for themselves without enough food or water after the woman failed to return to the property for a period of months.

A post mortem examination confirmed the dogs were emaciated and their bodies were in an advanced state of decomposition. Plastic was found in Koda's stomach while Hachi's was found to be empty. It was thought both dogs died of dehydration or starvation.

When interviewed Davies said she had locked the dogs in the kitchen leaving them with a bucket of water and a bag of dog biscuits. She had not asked for help or mentioned that they were left there to anyone.

Summing up their sentencing, the magistrates said:- "This was 1 of the most horrendous cases of neglect we have seen in this Court and no animal deserves to die or be treated in this manner."

RSPCA inspector Helen Smith said:- "When I entered I found 90% of the kitchen floor was covered with faeces and rubbish. Then I saw the dogs, dead. It was heartbreaking finding these poor dogs in this awful way, they must have endured a great deal of pain and distress as they died alone. We hope by bringing this matter to Court we have achieved some sort of justice for Koda and Hatchi."

In addition to the lifetime disqualification order, Davies was sentenced to 16 weeks' custody suspended for 18 months and was ordered to attend a 20 day rehabilitation program. In addition she will be electronically tagged for 16 weeks as part of a curfew order and she was ordered to pay ?650 costs.