Kiana Myers-Jones, 23, was sentenced at Chester magistrates' court on February 20. She admitted causing unnecessary suffering to her dog and failing to meet its basic welfare needs. The dog, known as Coco or Cali, was found dead inside a metal crate in the hallway of Myers-Jones' address.
RSPCA Inspector Beth Fazackerley attended the address and found the dog lying in a pool of brown liquid with only a single custard cream biscuit inside the crate, and no dog food or water. The dog weighed just 8kg and had a body condition score of only 2 out of 9, where a healthy dog should score 5. Tests found no underlying disease to explain the weight loss other than prolonged food deprivation, and evidence suggested the dog had been eating non-food items due to extreme hunger.
The dog had been left confined in the crate without food, water, bedding, or adequate care for several days. Veterinary evidence stated that the dog's suffering would have progressed over several weeks, causing weakness, hunger, muscle wastage, and significant distress prior to its death. The exact duration the dog was left without care has not been determined.
In addition to the five-year ban, magistrates sentenced Myers-Jones to a 12-month community order with 10 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days, fined her £126, and ordered her to pay £400 costs. A psychiatric report was produced outlining mental health issues as part of mitigation in the case, though the specific conditions were not disclosed. RSPCA Inspector Beth Fazackerley said this was a heartbreaking case where the dog suffered greatly when its basic needs were not met.