AYLA GILCHRIST ABANDONS EMACIATED HUSKY-CROSS YOGI IN HEANOR PROPERTY

Ayla Gilchrist, born on October 18, 1997, and residing on Egreaves Avenue, Loscoe, Heanor DE75 5RS, was found guilty of neglecting her pet dog, Yogi, a husky-cross, in a case that has shocked the local community. The incident unfolded at her residence in Heanor, where Yogi was left alone in an abandoned, cluttered property, suffering from severe malnutrition and dehydration.

Yogi was discovered in a state of extreme emaciation, with her condition described by the RSPCA inspector as the worst she had ever encountered. The dog was so thin that she resembled a walking skeleton, weighing only 8.75 kilograms—significantly below the typical weight of around 30 kilograms for her breed. The inspector, Rachel Leafe, recounted her distressing findings upon visiting the property on January 6, 2020.

Through a window, Inspector Leafe observed Yogi, who was visibly weak and unsteady on her legs. Despite her thick fur, the inspector could see every rib, along with her spine and hip bones protruding sharply. The dog’s face was sunken, and her stomach appeared collapsed, giving the impression that her waist could be easily encircled with hands. The inspector noted the absence of any visible food or water in the house, raising immediate concerns about the dog’s survival prospects if left untreated.

With assistance from Derbyshire Police, Inspector Leafe accessed the property by climbing onto a ledge through an open window, as the dog was too weak to jump onto the windowsill herself. Once inside, she described the weight of Yogi as astonishing—feeling as if she was lifting an empty rucksack. The dog’s breastbone was prominent and sharp, with no discernible fat or muscle tissue surrounding her fragile frame. The inspector remarked that she had never encountered a dog this thin that was still alive in her career as an RSPCA inspector.

Yogi was immediately taken for emergency veterinary care. She was found to be severely dehydrated, confused, and extremely weak. A microchip scan revealed her name to be Yogi, her age to be five years, and confirmed her ownership by Gilchrist at the address where she was found. Gilchrist was subsequently traced and allowed access to her property, where further investigations uncovered disturbing evidence of neglect.

During the search, no food or water was available for Yogi, but empty dog food tins and wrappers were found scattered around the premises. It was also observed that Yogi had been drinking water from the dry toilet bowl, and had resorted to eating tubes of toothpaste in an attempt to stay alive. A veterinarian examining Yogi stated that her survival was only possible because she had been able to access water from the toilet. The vet described the suffering inflicted upon her as unimaginable, lasting for at least two months.

Following her rescue, Yogi was renamed Honey, reflecting her gentle nature and the color of her fur. She was transferred to the RSPCA Chesterfield and North Derbyshire branch for rehabilitation. Thanks to ongoing care, Honey has since been rehomed to a loving family, ending her ordeal of neglect.

In court, Gilchrist pleaded guilty to three animal welfare offences related to her failure to provide adequate care for Yogi. She was sentenced to eight weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months for each offence. Additionally, she was ordered to pay a total of £328 in costs and charges. The court also imposed an indefinite ban on her owning animals, reflecting the severity of her neglect and the importance of safeguarding animal welfare in the future.