KAYLEIGH WESTON'S HORRIFIC ANIMAL CRUELTY IN STOKE-ON-TRENT

In a disturbing case that highlights neglect and cruelty, Kayleigh Weston, a resident of Stoke-on-Trent, was found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to her pet rabbit, Smudge, in 2018. Weston, born in 1987 and living on Lucerne Road, Biddulph, had kept the rabbit for six years, but her failure to care for the animal ultimately led to its tragic death.

On April 14, 2018, a police officer responded to Weston’s residence after concerns about the welfare of her pet. When no one answered the door, the officer proceeded to the back of the property, where he discovered the rabbit’s hutch. Inside, he found a grim scene: the hutch was filled with droppings, and the water and food bottles were empty. The rabbit, a black and white creature named Smudge, was found lifeless in a separate compartment of the enclosure. The officer immediately contacted the RSPCA to investigate further.

Subsequent examination by veterinary professionals revealed that Smudge was severely emaciated, with no visible body fat and very poor muscle mass. The post-mortem report confirmed that the rabbit was in a state of extreme neglect, showing signs of dehydration, diarrhea, and starvation. It was estimated that Smudge had been dead for between two and four days at the time of discovery. The veterinary assessment indicated that the rabbit was critically ill and required urgent veterinary attention, which it had not received.

During the court proceedings, Weston admitted to causing unnecessary suffering to her pet by neglecting its basic needs. She claimed to have fed Smudge nuggets and carrots between 5 pm and 6 pm daily and to have cleaned the hutch once a week, although she acknowledged that sometimes longer periods elapsed between cleanings. She also stated she last cleaned the hutch one or two weeks prior to the police visit. Weston insisted she did not believe the rabbit was thin, despite the evidence to the contrary.

The court heard that Weston’s lifestyle had become chaotic due to her drug use, which contributed to her neglect of her pets. All her other animals have since been re-homed, and she has reportedly ceased using drugs. Her defense attorney, James Hulse, described her care as ‘sporadic and incompetent,’ explaining that she would throw food into the cage without checking if the rabbit was eating properly. Hulse emphasized that if Weston had sought veterinary help when noticing her pet’s lack of appetite, the outcome might have been different.

Following the case, RSPCA inspector Charlotte Melvin expressed her dismay at the conditions in which Smudge was found. She described the hutch as being at least a few inches deep in feces, with the dead rabbit located in a separate compartment. There was no food or water available, and the rabbit’s emaciated state made it clear that she had starved to death. Melvin pointed out that there was no rabbit food in the house, and the post-mortem confirmed the absence of body fat. She emphasized that neglecting outdoor pets is equally cruel, especially as colder weather approaches, and rabbits are particularly vulnerable to starvation and stress from going without food for even short periods.

In sentencing, Weston was fined £240, ordered to pay costs and charges totaling £330, and disqualified from owning any animals for five years. She has the option to apply for the disqualification to be lifted after three years. The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of responsible pet ownership and the devastating consequences of neglect. In a tragic update from February 2022, it was reported that Weston’s body was found in woodland approximately a month after her disappearance. Her death was linked to drug-related issues, adding a further somber note to her story.