LEANNÉ UNGLASS FROM SPARKHILL FACES BIRMINGHAM COURT OVER CRUELTY TO STARVING STAFFY ROXY NEAR ACKERS ADVENTURE CENTRE

Leanne Marie Ungless, born around 1983 and residing on Avondale Road in Sparkhill, Birmingham B11, was convicted in 2018 for acts of cruelty towards a dog found in a severely neglected state on the streets. The dog, a Staffordshire Bull Terrier named Roxy, was discovered near the Ackers Adventure Centre in Sparkbrook, Birmingham, in such a dire condition that it prompted an immediate investigation by the RSPCA.

Inspector Herchy Boal, who led the successful prosecution, revealed that the dog was microchipped to an address in Nottingham, which is the hometown of Ungless. The owner of the property in Nottingham confirmed that she had given Roxy away to a family member and provided the inspector with Ungless’s address in Birmingham. Despite multiple visits to Ungless’s residence and leaving messages requesting her to make contact, she failed to respond or engage with authorities.

On Friday, October 5, 2018, Ungless was summoned to Birmingham Magistrates’ Court to answer charges of causing unnecessary suffering to Roxy. However, she did not appear in court, and her absence led to her being convicted in her absence. Inspector Boal expressed strong condemnation of the case, stating, “Poor Roxy was very emaciated and she was basically thrown out on the streets by her owner who should have been caring for her. There is never an excuse for failing to meet the needs of an animal and allowing them to get into such a poor and emaciated condition.”

As part of her sentencing, Ungless received a 12-month community order, which includes a 12-week curfew from 8 pm to 7 am. Additionally, she was ordered to pay total costs and charges amounting to £585. Most significantly, she was banned from keeping any animals for the rest of her life, a measure intended to prevent any future neglect or cruelty. The case highlights ongoing concerns about animal welfare in the Birmingham area, particularly in neighborhoods like Sparkhill and Sparkbrook, where vulnerable animals can sometimes fall through the cracks of oversight and care.