JODI ANN CHAPMAN ABANDONS PET CAT DILLAN IN ALEXANDRIA, LEAVES HIM TO STARVE AND SUFFERS COURT PUNISHMENT

Jodi Ann Chapman, born on December 9, 1979, and residing on McColl Avenue in Alexandria, became the subject of a serious animal cruelty case after she abandoned her pet cat, Dillan, leaving him to face a slow and painful death.

Chapman had previously lived at Halkett Crescent but moved out in May 2015 without making any effort to locate or care for her feline companion. Her departure was abrupt, and she left behind Dillan, a grey and white cat, with no intention of returning or ensuring his well-being.

It was not until September that Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) officers discovered Dillan in a dire state. The cat was found to be critically dehydrated, having consumed every drop of water available to him from the toilet, and was severely emaciated. His weight had plummeted to just 2.2 kilograms, which is approximately 60% of his ideal body weight. His overall condition was rated as a one on a scale of five, indicating extreme suffering. Veterinarians indicated that Dillan was likely experiencing abdominal and joint pain, and had been enduring prolonged distress and agony due to neglect.

Despite the harrowing circumstances he endured at the hands of his former owner, Dillan managed to recover fully after receiving medical treatment and care. Today, he has been given a new, loving home where he can live free from the trauma of abandonment.

During the court proceedings, Chapman pleaded guilty to the charge of abandoning her pet in circumstances that were likely to cause unnecessary suffering. It was revealed that housing officers had not been informed of her move from Halkett Crescent, which contributed to her failure to care for Dillan. When questioned by SSPCA officers, Chapman admitted that she had moved out in May and acknowledged that she had not searched for her cat after leaving. She explained her actions by stating, “The house was doing my nut in. I just wanted to leave.”

As a result of her guilty plea, Chapman was fined £315 and received a five-year ban from owning or caring for animals, a restriction that expired in March 2021. The case highlights the importance of responsible pet ownership and the consequences of neglecting animals in need.