Woman banned after dog dies from 'dreadful' injuries

Della Page (right) was pictured carrying Tallulah in for care in November 2024

A woman has been banned from keeping dogs and cats for 10 years and given a suspended jail term after her spaniel died after suffering an unexplained injury.

Della Page, 30, brought three-year-old Tullulah into a vet's in November 2024.

Examinations found the dog had suffered a rib fracture and internal bleeding and she died minutes later.

Reading magistrates were told the cause of her injuries has not been established but Page admitted failing to ensure the dog's needs were met, contrary to the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

Page, from Pangbourne, was given a 16-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months and told to pay £400 costs and a £154 victim surcharge.

CCTV shows Page carrying Tullulah into the vet's surgery wrapped in a blanket.

The court heard there was no suggestion Page was directly responsible for the injuries herself.

"Our investigation found that Tallulah suffered some awful injuries," RSPCA inspector Simon Hoggett said.

"Although we don't know exactly how they were inflicted, we do know they caused severe suffering and resulted in her sad and premature death.

"No animal should have to fall victim to this kind of treatment. The variety and extent of the injuries were dreadful.

"I'm just happy that Tallulah has received some kind of justice with the prosecution and court's decision to impose a long disqualification on her owner."