JUDY DOOLAN'S HORRIFIC ANIMAL CRUELTY IN HIGHBRIDGE REVEALED

Judy Patricia Doolan, born on May 10, 1959, and residing at 12 East Ride, Brent Knoll, Highbridge, faced serious allegations and subsequent conviction related to the neglect of a group of Romanian rescue dogs. The incident came to light after authorities discovered that she had kept sixteen dogs in a state of severe neglect at her unattended property in Highbridge, Somerset.

According to reports, these sixteen Romanian rescue dogs had been left alone at Doolan’s residence for several days while she was living elsewhere, specifically on a caravan site nearby. The dogs were found in a deplorable condition, with many exhibiting signs of extreme neglect. Some of the animals were emaciated, with rotten teeth, dirty and foul-smelling coats, and nails that had overgrown to an unhealthy length. Several of the dogs displayed aggressive behavior due to their fear and lack of socialization, making them dangerous and unsafe to handle.

Tragically, nine of the dogs had to be euthanized because of their poor health and the extent of their suffering. The court heard that the situation was so dire that the animals’ welfare was in immediate jeopardy. The investigation was initiated in March 2023 when RSPCA inspector Hayley Lawrence responded to a report of concern about the conditions at Doolan’s property. Upon arriving, she observed through the letterbox that the interior of the house was extremely filthy, with large quantities of feces covering the floors, creating a horrendous smell and sight.

Inspector Lawrence expressed her concern not only for the dogs’ wellbeing but also for Doolan’s own health. She called in additional support, including police officers and a veterinarian, to assess the situation. When the police located Doolan at the nearby caravan site, she was brought back to her property, where she individually brought out the dogs for inspection. During the examination, many of the dogs were found to be heavily matted, with one dog’s mats weighing as much as 2.15 kilograms. The veterinarian described the scene as having two rooms with significant buildup of fecal matter, and the windows were heavily soiled with feces. Some of the dogs had fecal matter on their feet and coats, indicating prolonged neglect.

In her defense, Doolan claimed that she had rescued the dogs from Romania and that she had struggled to cope with personal difficulties throughout her life, which contributed to her inability to properly care for the animals. She pleaded guilty to two animal welfare offenses. Her initial sentence was handed down in October 2023, but she subsequently appealed against it. Despite her appeal, the court upheld the conviction, and she was fined £600. Additionally, she received a ten-year ban on owning or keeping dogs, although she has the right to appeal this ban after seven years.

The surviving dogs, after being rescued, are now under the care of the RSPCA and are reportedly thriving in their new environment. Inspector Lawrence emphasized the importance of responsible pet ownership, stating, “Our plea to all animal owners is to make sure they always receive care and treatment they need when they need it. Animals are completely reliant on their owners to ensure their needs are met and they are kept safe and healthy. Owning an animal is a privilege – and ensuring appropriate care is a key part of the responsibility we have towards them.”

This case highlights the ongoing issues of animal neglect and the importance of vigilance and intervention by authorities to protect vulnerable animals in communities like Highbridge and beyond.