ALISON MIDDLEBROOK'S HORRIFIC ANIMAL ABUSE IN MEXBOROUGH AND DONCASTER REVEALED

In a disturbing case of animal neglect, Alison Middlebrook, born in May 1982 and residing on Highwoods Crescent in Mexborough, Doncaster, was found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to her pets. The court heard how she left her elderly dog, Jake, and a pet cat named Ginge, locked inside a filthy, abandoned house with no access to food or proper care.

In March 2021, RSPCA Inspector Vanessa Reid responded to reports of abandoned cats at a property on Marton Road, Toll Barr, Doncaster. Upon investigation, she discovered a scene of neglect and cruelty. Through the window, she observed a house in a deplorable state, with feces scattered across the kitchen floor and dead flies on the windowsill. A food bowl was visible but contained no food, indicating neglect.

When Inspector Reid entered the rear yard, she noticed the back door moving and was approached by an extremely underweight dog, who was visibly weak and unsteady on his feet. The dog, later identified as Jake, was 16 years old. Vanessa described him as being in a dire condition: "All his ribs, spine, and hips were visible, and he was very wobbly on his back end, falling to one side regularly as he walked."

Several neighbors were present outside the property, and one of them believed the dog to be Jake, an elderly pet they thought the owners had rehomed years earlier. Recognizing the severity of the situation, Vanessa immediately took Jake for emergency veterinary treatment and contacted South Yorkshire Police for assistance.

While waiting in her van, Inspector Reid was approached by Middlebrook, who arrived at the property and granted her access. Middlebrook claimed she was not living at the house but returned to feed her animals. She also stated she had recently rehomed two cats but admitted that Jake and Ginge had not been rehomed because no one would take them. Despite this, she signed over both animals into the RSPCA’s care, and Ginge was taken for veterinary examination.

The veterinarian’s assessment revealed that Jake was severely malnourished, with a body condition score of just 1 out of 9, and weighed only 14.6 kilograms—approximately a quarter of his expected weight. He exhibited hair loss, scabs, and untreated fleas on his skin. Ginge, a two-year-old cat, was in better physical condition but was also found to have live fleas on her coat.

The vet emphasized the responsibilities of pet owners: "Keepers of dogs and cats have a responsibility to provide for their animal’s basic needs, including a suitable environment and diet. This has clearly not been met by the owner given the poor conditions the animals were kept in. If an adequate diet had been provided, Jake would not have been so severely malnourished."

Following her rescue, Jake gained 4 kilograms over 18 days in RSPCA care and was subsequently rehomed. Inspector Reid expressed her satisfaction: "Jake did so well in RSPCA care, and I am pleased he has now found a lovely home to spend the rest of his days. Despite his age, he is lively and jumps around." Ginge was also rehomed and is doing well.

During the court proceedings, it was revealed that Middlebrook had a troubled upbringing and struggled with drug addiction in the past. As part of her sentence, she received a 10-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, along with a 10-week curfew. She was ordered to pay £278 in costs and charges and was given a five-year ban on owning animals, which will expire in July 2026.