LEAH PRINCE FROM SWADLINCOTE SENTENCED AFTER STARVING LABRADOR ROXY TO NEAR DEATH IN DERBYSHIRE

Leah Prince, a resident of Bridge Close in Church Gresley, Swadlincote, Derbyshire, was found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to her pet dog, Roxy, a black Labrador. The court proceedings revealed a heartbreaking case of neglect that nearly resulted in the death of the beloved animal.

According to reports, Roxy was subjected to severe malnutrition, losing approximately 10 kilograms within a span of just four months. This drastic weight loss was linked to her diagnosed condition of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which was identified earlier in 2017. Despite the diagnosis, the extent of her suffering was largely due to her owner’s neglectful actions.

RSPCA Inspector Nicola Johnson provided a detailed account of Roxy’s condition prior to her rescue. She explained, “Roxy was unable to digest food properly because of the IBS, which would have left her in a lot of pain most days. She dropped weight very quickly and became weaker and weaker. All of her rib bones could be seen. It was obvious she was not a well dog.”

Roxy was eventually rescued from her neglectful owner by the RSPCA and taken to a veterinary clinic. At the vet, she was diagnosed with IBS, but her owner did not follow through with recommended treatment options, including surgery. Instead, Prince resorted to searching online for alternative remedies, believing she could find a suitable diet for Roxy herself.

Inspector Johnson further stated, “She believed that eventually she would find the right food for Roxy, but in the meantime Roxy was drastically losing weight. She was eating food which would come straight out again – she just wasn’t able to digest it properly. This went on for four months, during which time Roxy had been left to suffer. If veterinary advice had been taken at the outset, she would not have lost so much weight and become so weak.”

Concerns about Roxy’s welfare were raised by a member of the public, prompting the RSPCA to intervene. The inspector recounted, “I took Roxy to a vet and we weighed her in at 13kg, which is far below the 25kg a female Labrador should weigh. Her road to recovery was a long one and she was so poorly that we nearly lost her a couple of times. It really was touch and go.”

Thanks to the dedicated efforts of the RSPCA staff at the Burton branch, as well as veterinary teams at Springwood Vets and Swadlincote’s local vets, Roxy’s life was saved. The rescue operation was critical in ensuring her survival, and she has since been rehomed with a caring family. Today, Roxy is a happy and healthy dog, a testament to the importance of proper veterinary care and responsible pet ownership.

Leah Prince was sentenced to a two-year conditional discharge, ordered to pay £200 in costs, and was issued a lifetime ban on keeping animals. The court’s decision underscores the seriousness of animal neglect cases and the need for accountability in such situations.