'Ultimate suffering' - Manchester woman neglected dogs so badly one died and one needed urgent RSPCA care

Gillian Walton, 60, of Norbet Walk, pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to two dogs and failing to meet their welfare needs when she was sentenced at Manchester Magistrates Court last month. 

The court heard that Walton had allowed her two Shih Tzus to suffer with chronic flea infestations resulting in severe anaemia, to the extent that one dog - Millie - died, and the other, Cindy, required intensive emergency veterinary treatment and rehabilitation. 

Both dogs had been found to be in poor bodily condition, with severely matted coats and skin and eye diseases. In addition, the dogs’ needs had not been met, with the dogs unwalked, not fed appropriately and living in very unsanitary conditions.

As well as the five-year ban on keeping animals Walton was also sentenced to a 16-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months,  and up to 15 RAR - Rehabilitation Activity Requirement - days. Walton was also ordered to pay £200 costs and a victim surcharge of £154.  

RSPCA animal rescue officer Jessica Pierce had first visited the address in July 2023 to carry out a welfare check after the charity had received a report expressing concerns about one dead dog and another dog in worrying condition and living in an inappropriate environment.  

When Pierce entered the property, she could clearly see that Cindy was severely underweight as all of her ribs, spine and hip bones were very prominent. The property had old and new faeces on the floor and up the stairs and there was rubbish everywhere, along with a smell of ammonia. The defendant admitted that her second dog - Millie - was dead, and was wrapped in a blanket upstairs.

Cindy was signed over to the RSPCA and taken to the charity’s Greater Manchester Animal Hospital to be examined and treated.

RSPCA senior veterinary clinician Dr Shannon McCall, who examined the two dogs, said: “It is likely that [Millie’s] death was caused by a severe flea infestation resulting in anaemia. This will have caused her to feel weakness and debilitation having a severe lack of energy. This will have been uncomfortable and severely impacted her everyday life, ability to ambulate, to obtain food or water and play. The fleas would have caused constant irritation, discomfort and ultimate suffering that resulted in death.”

In addition, the dogs’ welfare needs had not been met, with them having to live in unsuitable living conditions with a lack of clean, dry and comfortable resting places and no maintenance of their coats.

Dr McCall added: “Both dogs were under conditioned. I would expect a responsible owner to seek veterinary attention should their pet become [severely] underweight ….. [Especially] if their animal became weak or lethargic.”

Cindy has since made a great recovery, achieved a healthy weight and her coat and skin have recovered. She has since been successfully and happily rehomed by the RSPCA. The RSPCA urges anyone struggling to take care of their pet to seek help, rather than neglecting them and leaving them to suffer.