JADE ROBERTS SHAMES NORTHAMPTON AFTER CRUEL DOG ABANDONMENT IN LIVERPOOL
Jade Abigail Roberts, born on November 30, 1995, previously residing in Kensington, Liverpool, has now become the focus of a serious animal cruelty case after her actions involving her pet dog came to light.Roberts, who has recently moved to Northampton, was found to have left her beloved dog, Daisy, in a deplorable state for an extended period, leading to her tragic death.
On July 31, 2021, Roberts left her home in the Kensington area of Liverpool, taking her 18-month-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Daisy, with her.
She traveled to a caravan park in Prestatyn, North Wales, leaving her pet behind.
The circumstances of her departure and the subsequent neglect would later be scrutinized by animal welfare authorities.
Approximately ten days after her departure, on August 10, 2021, an RSPCA inspector visited Roberts' address following reports that a dog had been abandoned at her property.
The inspector's visit revealed a disturbing scene.
Upon peering through the letterbox, the inspector was immediately struck by the overwhelming smell of decomposition emanating from inside the house.
The inspector observed that the property was in a filthy condition, with clothes and rubbish strewn across the floor, indicating neglect and poor hygiene.
Attempting to gain entry into the premises, the inspector found the yard flooded with rubbish bags, preventing immediate access.
The following day, a housing officer contacted Roberts, who was away at the time.
Eventually, Roberts' sister allowed an RSPCA inspector into the property, where a heartbreaking discovery was made: a dead, decomposing white Staffordshire Bull Terrier, believed to be Daisy, was found confined within a dog cage.
The court proceedings detailed the appalling conditions in which the dog was kept.
The cage was described as filthy, littered with faeces, and contained three bowls—one upside down, another empty, and the third filled with dog food.
The evidence suggested that Daisy had been left in these conditions for some time, with insufficient water and neglect leading to her suffering and eventual death.
Roberts claimed she had arranged for a friend to care for Daisy while she was away on holiday, which lasted approximately 14 days.
She stated that she provided money and food for the dog, but when questioned about the identity of this friend, she refused to disclose any details.
Roberts expressed her heartbreak and anger, claiming she was upset that her friend had let her down.
A veterinary surgeon was unable to determine the exact cause of Daisy's death, but it was clear that the dog had been confined in a cage with inadequate water and care.
During the court hearing, it was noted that Roberts had no previous convictions.
She was visibly distressed, explaining that the legal proceedings had weighed heavily on her and that she had struggled with the uncertainty surrounding her case.
Her defense highlighted her long history of caring for Daisy, whom she had owned since she was eight weeks old, and emphasized that there was no prior evidence of animal welfare issues.
Roberts also shared her personal struggles, including ending a ten-year abusive relationship with the father of her two children in June 2020 after a serious assault.
The incident was reported to the police, and her ex-partner was convicted.
Since relocating to Northampton, Roberts has had no contact with her former partner and has expressed her desire to distance herself from him permanently.
Her legal representative acknowledged her poor judgment in leaving the responsibility of caring for Daisy to someone else while she was away.
The court heard that her children were deeply upset by the incident, and Roberts is regarded as a responsible mother who is devoted to her children, who rely entirely on her for their well-being.
In sentencing, magistrates decided to suspend the 12-week prison sentence due to her significant mental health issues, which they believed would be better addressed through community support.
The court emphasized the importance of her not bringing any animals into her property in the future.
Additionally, Roberts was ordered to complete 20 days of rehabilitation activities, undergo six months of mental health treatment, pay costs of £500 to the RSPCA, and was handed a ten-year ban on owning animals.
Overall, the case has cast a shadow over Northampton, highlighting the importance of animal welfare and the consequences of neglect, even when driven by personal struggles and circumstances.
