Dog put down after 'worst case of animal cruelty'

Milo had two seizures after being taken to a vet for emergency treatment

A Gloucester woman has been found guilty of what magistrates described as "the worst case of animal cruelty" they had seen.

Police officers found Milo, a three-year-old husky, being slowly strangled by a string tying his collar to a wardrobe door at a property in Matson on 2 December 2024.

He was comatose in a room covered in urine and faeces and officers thought he was already dead. He was later put down to prevent more suffering.

Amy Pamela Griffin Dawkins, of Rectory Road, Matson, was found guilty of an animal cruelty offence on 18 August at Cheltenham Magistrates' Court where she was given a 12-month custodial sentence, suspended for 18 months, as well as a 15-year ban on keeping animals.

Gloucestershire Police attended the address following a report of concern for the welfare of a dog.

Officers said Milo was "lying prone on the floor with his head and neck flexed backwards" and they thought he was dead because he did not move when they entered the room.

There was no food present and, although there was water, it was out of Milo's reach.

The string attaching Milo's collar to the wardrobe door handle was so tight it prevented him from laying his head on the floor.

An attending officer said she knew Milo was close to death so she cut the string but, even then, he remained lying on the floor in his original position, covered in faeces and urine.

'Did finally receive love'

He was comatose on arrival at a veterinary practice and was found to be very underweight, severely dehydrated and suffering from anaemia and a heart murmur.

Milo had two seizures but appeared more responsive the following morning.

The RSPCA investigated and the owner agreed to sign Milo over to the charity.

Richard Carr, an RSPCA inspector, said vets could "easily feel every rib and spine" in Milo's body and he was later placed in an RSPCA animal hospital to continue his rehabilitation.

Milo's condition worsened, despite receiving care, and the decision was made to put him to sleep to prevent further suffering.

Inspector Carr said: "This was not the outcome we had hoped for and I know the condition of Milo was distressing for all involved but we can take some heart in knowing he did finally receive the love he deserved in our care."

Dawkins was also given an 18-month mental health treatment order, 15 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days and a six-month alcohol treatment order.

In mitigation, it was said Dawkins had a drink problem and was remorseful.