GEORGETTE GREY FROM SOUTH CROYDON SENTENCED FOR CRUELTY TO PUPPY MILO

In a disturbing case of animal neglect, Georgette Grey, a resident of South Croydon, was found guilty of severe cruelty towards her eight-month-old puppy, Milo. The incident unfolded at her residence located at 30B Blenheim Park Road, South Croydon CR2 6BD, where authorities discovered the young dog in a critically neglected state.

Grey’s actions, or rather her failure to act, led to Milo being severely malnourished and exposed to harsh weather conditions, which resulted in him becoming hypothermic. The RSPCA launched an investigation after Milo was brought to a veterinary clinic in a collapsed state, unresponsive, suffering from extreme dehydration and dangerously low body temperature. The veterinary team responded swiftly, providing emergency care in an attempt to save the distressed puppy.

Despite their efforts, Milo’s condition was so dire that the vets recommended euthanasia to end his suffering. The case drew significant attention, highlighting the neglect that led to such a tragic outcome. Grey later admitted guilt, pleading guilty to charges of animal cruelty. She explained during proceedings that her neglect was not intentional but was influenced by her financial difficulties and responsibilities related to child care. She expressed remorse for her actions, acknowledging her failure to provide Milo with the necessary care.

The veterinarian involved in Milo’s treatment provided a detailed account of his condition, stating, “In my professional opinion, the owner failed to meet Milo’s needs in that she did not ensure that he has access to preventative healthcare in the form of his initial vaccination course and ongoing veterinary review. Based on his physical presentation, it is highly unlikely that his presentation occurred overnight and he is likely to have been suffering and in a significant level of discomfort for a sustained period of time. His low body condition score is likely to have occurred over a matter of months; either as a result of severe neglect, underlying pathological processes or a combination of the two. His body weight of 9.1kg on 20th January 2023, was lower than the weight recorded in September 2022, of 9.50kg. In my opinion, this shows that he was not growing in line with his expected timescales. At the very minimum, it is my opinion that Ms Grey did not seek veterinary assistance from which Milo could have benefitted, leaving him to suffer unnecessarily.”

Inspector Lynn Serrano, who led the RSPCA investigation, emphasized the severity of the neglect, stating, “It was clear that Milo had not received appropriate veterinary care despite continuing to lose weight over a period of months. Grey was sentenced for failing to address his poor body condition and weight loss. As a result, he was left to suffer, and it’s very sad that his life was so short due to a lack of care.”

As a consequence of her actions, Grey received a three-month prison sentence suspended for the duration of her probation and was subjected to an 11-year ban on keeping animals, which will remain in effect until December 2034. This case underscores the importance of responsible pet ownership and the devastating consequences of neglect, especially in a community like South Croydon where animal welfare is taken seriously.