Roehampton Woman Gets Suspended Sentence For Animal Abuse
Kept animals in conditions breaching previous disqualification order
Bluebell is now looking for a new home
A woman from Roehampton has been sentenced to 12 weeks in prison suspended for a year after being found guilty of animal abuse.
Danielle Rose, of Highcliffe Drive, denied all charges at Wimbledon Magistrates court on 30 January, but was found failing to keep animals in suitable conditions at her home. She was also in breach of a previous animal ownership disqualification order in 2012 for the same offence.
The RSPCA investigation found that a rabbit and bearded dragon was being kept in squalor with evidence of dog at the flat.
As well as the suspended custodial sentence, she was made to pay £150 costs, a £115 victim surcharge, and given a new disqualification from keeping all animals for another 10 years, starting from January 2017.
Ms Rose had previously (10 January) been found guilty under the Animal Welfare Act of failing to meet the needs of the animals by not providing them with a suitable environment, and of breaching a disqualification on keeping the animals.
The RSPCA visited the address in March 2016 after concerns had been raised. RSPCA inspector Phil Norman said: “It was a cold and damp day when I found the rabbit living on a wet and filthy balcony, without a hutch or any proper shelter or bedding. There wasn’t even any food or clean water.
“The bearded dragon was cold with no lighting or heating he needed to survive in the vivarium. The puppy was not at the address when I visited but I could see signs of him the flat - both fur and mess - despite the fact she had been banned from keeping all animals."
Both animals were taken into RSPCA care. Sadly, the bearded dragon was so unwell he died shortly after coming into their care, but the rabbit, now named Bluebell, has made a good recovery and should now be looking for a new home. Despite the evidence that a dog had been living at the address, the RSPCA have been unable to track it down.
If you are interested in rehoming Bluebell or or any other animal please visit FindaPet on the RSPCA website.
February 17, 2017