MERCY MUJINYA-MOTIMA FROM TOOTING, SOUTH LONDON, STARVES PET LABRADOODLE TO DEATH

Mercy Mujinya-Motima, a resident of Longley Road in Tooting, South London, has been convicted of a tragic case of animal cruelty involving her pet Labradoodle. Born on May 27, 1986, Mujinya-Motima, who is employed within the mental health services sector, was found responsible for neglecting her one-year-old dog, Shiloh, leading to the animal's death by starvation.

On October 23, 2023, Mujinya-Motima took the severely emaciated body of Shiloh to the Blue Cross animal hospital. She claimed that the dog had been involved in a car accident the previous evening, which she insisted was the cause of her pet’s death. However, veterinary examination revealed a different and more disturbing story. The vet quickly identified that the dog’s body showed signs of prolonged starvation, with no injuries consistent with a traffic collision. The dog was assigned a body condition score of just one out of nine, indicating extreme emaciation.

Further investigation revealed that Shiloh weighed only 5.8 kilograms at the time of her death, a stark contrast to what would be expected for a healthy Labradoodle of her age. Veterinarians concluded that the dog had been unwell for at least six months prior to her passing. Despite owning Shiloh from the age of eight weeks, Mujinya-Motima had never taken her to a veterinarian until just five days before her death, when she registered her with a veterinary practice.

Animal welfare authorities, including RSPCA inspector Harriet Daliday, conducted a detailed investigation. In her official statement, she expressed her shock at how easily the dog’s body was removed from storage, noting the breed’s typical size and weight. She described Shiloh as being extremely underweight, with ribs, hips, and spine prominently visible and easily felt through her skin. The inspector observed that the shape of the dog’s skull and the indentation above her eye sockets were also easily palpable, with no visible fat or muscle tissue on her body.

Inspector Daliday further described the dog’s condition, noting her sunken eyes with a gunky discharge and a small open wound on her left hind leg. She also identified what appeared to be pressure sores on Shiloh’s thighs. Despite her poor health, the inspector was surprised to find that Shiloh’s coat was relatively well-maintained, appearing clean and recently groomed. The nails had been trimmed back, indicating some level of care, albeit insufficient to prevent her suffering.

During the investigation, the inspector contacted the registered owner of the dog via the microchip, who was identified as the breeder of the Labradoodle. The breeder informed her that she had sold a litter of Labradoodle puppies in July of that year, including one named Pink Collar, which was sold to a lady and her daughter. The breeder expressed her shock and distress upon learning of Shiloh’s death and the circumstances surrounding her neglect.

Mujinya-Motima pleaded guilty to an offence under animal welfare laws. In court, she expressed remorse and distress over her actions, stating that she had no intention of keeping a dog in the future. It was also revealed that she had paid over £400 for Shiloh and had voluntarily surrendered her body to the veterinary practice for examination.

Sentencing included a 12-month community order, a 12-week curfew with an electronic tag, and a fine of £400 to cover costs. Additionally, Mujinya-Motima was handed a five-year ban on owning dogs, which will remain in effect until March 2029. This case highlights the importance of responsible pet ownership and the devastating consequences of neglect and cruelty towards animals in South London.