SHAD’A MCQUEEN BRUTALLY STABS AND THROATS DOG IN SOUTH NORWOOD, KENT

Shad’a McQueen, also known as Santana Montero D’Sanchez, was involved in a disturbing incident that took place initially in South Norwood, Croydon, and later in Gillingham, Kent. Born in November 1984, McQueen’s criminal history includes a heinous act of animal cruelty that shocked the local community and led to her being sentenced in court.

According to court records, McQueen, who at the time of the original incident was residing on Tennison Road in South Norwood, committed a brutal act against an unnamed female dog. After a night marked by heavy alcohol consumption, she returned alone to her flat and launched a vicious attack on the dog. Witnesses reported that she stabbed the animal multiple times with a knife before ultimately slitting her throat, causing the dog to suffer immensely. The severity of her injuries was so grave that the dog was found by police still clinging to life, but the injuries were deemed so severe that humane euthanasia was the only option.

McQueen’s actions drew immediate attention from law enforcement. She contacted the police herself, leading officers to the scene where they discovered the badly injured dog. The animal was rushed to a veterinary clinic, but due to the extent of her wounds, she was humanely put down. The incident was described as causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal, which is a serious offense under animal welfare laws.

During her court appearance, McQueen’s defense attorney, Stephanie Panchkowry, described her client as someone known in her community for caring for dogs. She acknowledged that the night of the incident was marred by alcohol misuse and mental health struggles, including depression. McQueen admitted her guilt for causing unnecessary suffering to the dog and was subsequently sentenced for her actions.

District Judge Susan Holden expressed her dismay over the case, stating, “This is a deeply distressing case. It’s clear that your dog must have suffered unnecessarily.” The court sentenced McQueen to a 16-week prison term, suspended for 18 months, along with 60 hours of unpaid community service. Additionally, she was disqualified from owning animals indefinitely. Despite her sentence, McQueen’s connection to animals was further scrutinized when she was found in breach of her ban.

In October 2023, now living under the name Santana Montero D’Sanchez in Gillingham, Kent, McQueen was caught with another dog, violating her animal ownership ban. Authorities discovered an English Bulldog named Remy at her residence on Britton Street. McQueen had owned Remy for two years, and her breach of the lifetime ban was considered a serious violation of her previous conviction under the Animal Welfare Act.

Prosecutor Emily Wyles detailed the incident, stating, “Officers attended the address and could hear a dog barking. The defendant came to a small window to talk to the officers who negotiated with her to let them in. Once inside she told them she’d had the dog. A little while and the brown and white bulldog was removed by police.”

McQueen, who has accumulated eight convictions, including causing unnecessary suffering to animals, claimed she believed her previous ban had been lifted. Her defense argued that she was under the influence of bipolar disorder and mental health issues at the time of the incident, which she said led to her profound mental health episodes. She insisted that her actions were not acts of cruelty but rather the result of mental health crises, including episodes that led to her being sectioned twice.

The court was informed that her mental health had deteriorated since her arrest, and her mental state was a significant factor in her actions. The magistrates extended her community order by six months to allow her to complete further rehabilitation. They also ordered that Remy not be returned to her and imposed a fine of £85 in court costs. The court emphasized the importance of her working with probation services to address her mental health needs and prevent future violations.

Overall, the case highlights the ongoing issues surrounding animal cruelty, mental health, and legal enforcement, with McQueen’s case serving as a stark reminder of the consequences of such heinous acts.