VAXHALL WOMAN DANIELLE MCQUADE SENTENCED FOR STARVING DOG TO DEATH IN LONDON BOROUGH OF LAMBETH

Danielle Toni McQuade, also known as Ellie McQuade, was born on August 13, 1983, and resides at Hannah Barlow House, 4 Portland Grove, Vauxhall, within the London Borough of Lambeth SW8 1JW. She was convicted in 2023 for the severe neglect and starvation of her dog, a bull-breed named Nellie.

McQuade took Nellie to the Blue Cross Victoria animal hospital after noticing her in a dire state. The staff at the facility quickly recognized the severity of the dog's condition, as Nellie was extremely emaciated and covered in open sores. Recognizing the signs of neglect, the Blue Cross staff contacted the RSPCA, prompting an official investigation into the dog's welfare.

RSPCA inspector Nicole Broster was assigned to examine Nellie. Her assessment revealed a heartbreaking picture of neglect: “Her ribs, hips, and spine were very visible and prominent to the touch. I was especially distressed by the visibility of her skull bones. When I lifted her body, I could not feel much fat padding, and she was very light for a dog of that breed. I also noticed that she had pressure sores on her joints. There was waste at her back end, and she was wrapped in blankets. She also had a large, newish black collar on her neck, which looked far too big for her. The collar had a tag with the name ‘Nellie’ and a phone number.”

At the time of her death, Nellie weighed only 12 kilograms (26.5 pounds), which was 6 kilograms (13.25 pounds) less than her weight as a puppy two years prior. The investigation revealed that McQuade had previously sought veterinary advice in June 2021, claiming that the dog was always hungry but not gaining weight. Despite this, she only wormed the dog and did not pursue further veterinary treatment when the initial issues persisted.

A post-mortem examination was conducted, which found no evidence of any underlying illness or disease. The findings strongly indicated that Nellie had starved to death due to neglect. The veterinarian involved stated, “No underlying illness or abnormalities were found; therefore, gross underfeeding or lack of feeding is most likely.” The veterinarian further explained, “In my professional opinion, no matter the cause, her owner failed to seek appropriate veterinary treatment, which caused unnecessary suffering. This is contrary to the code of practice for the welfare of dogs. Breaches are likely to have occurred since at least June 2021, when the owner first reported noticing signs of illness, and possibly earlier.”

During proceedings, McQuade claimed that she had previously owned animals and was well-intentioned in her care. She is also the sole carer of a child. However, she failed to attend her trial and was subsequently found guilty in her absence.

In sentencing, McQuade received a 12-month community order, which includes 150 hours of unpaid work and 15 days of Rehabilitation Activity Requirement. She was also ordered to pay £400 in costs and was given a ten-year ban on owning animals, reflecting the seriousness of her neglect and the need to prevent future incidents.