CHLOE SMITH FROM TUTBURY SENTENCED AFTER LEAVING DOG IN POOR CONDITION IN BURTON-ON-TRENT

Chloe Elizabeth Smith, also known as Khloe Rowley, a resident of Tutbury near Burton-on-Trent, was found guilty of neglecting her dog and was subsequently sentenced in connection with the case. The incident involved her tan and white bull-breed dog, named Boss, who was discovered in a dire state after being left alone in an empty house with no food or water.

Smith, a single mother, had previously been banned from keeping animals due to her failure to properly care for Boss. The dog was found abandoned at her home, with empty bowls and a severe skin condition that required urgent attention. An RSPCA inspector had to intervene by pushing dog food and ice cubes through the letterbox to keep Boss alive, highlighting the severity of neglect.

During court proceedings, magistrates learned that Smith had initially rescued Boss and had sought veterinary advice from the PDSA for his skin issues. However, on November 5, 2022, an RSPCA inspector visited her residence following reports that a dog had been left unattended for a week. Despite knocking and hearing the dog behind the door, there was no response. The inspector observed two empty dog bowls and noted that Boss was in poor physical condition, with a red and raw muzzle and signs of infection.

The RSPCA returned the next day, November 6, and found the seals on the door still intact. On November 7, they inserted dog food and ice cubes through the letterbox, but the seals remained unbroken. The dog was eventually seized and taken to a veterinary clinic, where it was observed to drink two bowls of water upon arrival. The vet diagnosed a skin infection, redness, fur loss, and prescribed antibiotics to treat Boss’s ailments.

Smith admitted to neglecting the dog's needs, acknowledging she did not take sufficient steps to ensure Boss’s welfare. Her legal representative argued that Boss had been in an even worse condition when she rescued him and that her efforts to improve his health were ongoing. The lawyer explained that Smith had contacted the PDSA, described the symptoms, and was advised to wash the dog with a mild solution and give him antihistamines. She had been washing Boss three times a week, feeding him twice daily, and supplementing his diet with salmon oil and vitamins.

Furthermore, her lawyer highlighted that Smith’s life had been tumultuous, citing an abusive relationship and mental health struggles at the time. Despite these difficulties, she had worked with social services and her family practitioner, and her mental health had since improved. Social services were satisfied that her daughter could remain in her care. Since Boss was seized, the RSPCA had returned the dog for regular visits, and although Boss remained thin and had a lifelong skin condition, his condition had shown signs of improvement.

In sentencing, the court imposed a 12-month conditional discharge, ordered Smith to pay £400 in costs and a £26 surcharge. A deprivation order was issued for Boss, and Smith was banned from keeping animals for 12 months, with the ban expiring in April 2024. Smith, who now goes by Khloe-Mae Elizabeth Rowley or Khloe Rowley, works at the Prince of Brewers pub in Burton upon Trent and participates in amateur boxing matches, despite her past neglect of her pet.