A woman from Mayhill, Swansea, has been banned from keeping animals for life and handed a suspended prison sentence after admitting she failed to investigate why her bulldog lost so much weight that it died.
Court hears dog was ‘emaciated’
At Swansea Magistrates’ Court on 2 July the defendant, 29-year-old Annasha McCarthy of High View, pleaded guilty to an offence under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 relating to failure to investigate causes of weight loss in her dog.
The canine, a three-year-old bulldog named Chico, was discovered already deceased when presented at a Swansea veterinary clinic on 20 October last year. A veterinary examination recorded the dog’s body condition score as 1/9, indicating an emaciated state, and his weight at the time was just 10.9kg. Records from the practice showed his weight had fallen by 11.3kg since a health check on 30 January the previous year.
“A responsible owner would have gone to the vets if their dog became underweight, but the defendant failed to act and financial problems should be no excuse for letting Chico suffer such a horrible death.”
The RSPCA brought the prosecution after the dog, which was microchipped, was located and responsibility for him was admitted by the defendant. The court was told an inspector from the charity contacted the owner; the animal had been registered under the name of the defendant’s former partner.
Sentence and requirements
The court imposed a four-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, and ordered a series of community measures to run alongside the ban on keeping animals. The defendant must complete 15 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement (RAR) days and 100 hours of unpaid work. She was also ordered to pay court costs of £150.
| Order | Details |
|---|---|
| Custodial sentence | 4 months (suspended for 18 months) |
| Rehabilitation | 15 RAR days |
| Unpaid work | 100 hours |
| Costs | £150 |
| Animal ban | Disqualified from keeping animals for life |
Local implications and support options
The district judge noted the defendant’s fear of being judged and financial difficulties as factors in her failure to seek veterinary help. The RSPCA’s involvement and the lifetime ban underline the legal responsibilities owners have for animal welfare. For pet owners in Swansea and across the region, there are options to seek help if they struggle with costs or care:
- Contact local veterinary practices for advice and payment plans where available.
- Speak to animal charities such as the RSPCA for guidance and support options.
- Discuss concerns with community organisations or local authorities who may signpost to help schemes.
The case serves as a reminder that lack of money or embarrassment cannot excuse failing to address a pet’s deteriorating condition. The court’s measures combine punishment with attempts at rehabilitation, while the ban seeks to protect other animals in the long term.
