CRUEL HUDDERSFIELD WOMAN ALLOWED DOG TO STARVE TO DEATH
Steel was given a 24-week custodial sentence, suspended for 12 months, and disqualified from keeping animals indefinitely by Kirklees magistrates after she pleaded guilty to an offence contrary to the Animal Welfare Act 2006.The court heard that she arrived at a veterinary practice carrying her dead dog, Bruce, who was extremely emaciated with muscles wasted away and fleas present.
The post mortem confirmed prolonged malnutrition as the cause of death, with Bruce’s weight being only 15.6kg and having no body fat.
Steel claimed Bruce had 'always looked like that' and that his death was very sudden, which she attributed to illness.
Magistrates described this as 'one of the worst animal cases' they had ever seen and noted her care responsibilities and previous good character narrowly prevented a prison sentence.