WOMAN LEFT HER PETS ABANDONED IN HER HOME FOR DAYS
A Cardiff woman faced a court hearing after her pets were found to have been neglected while residing at her home for several days.Shakira Perry, aged 34, had kept two dogs confined to a single room for an extended period without access to food or water.
When rescued, the animals were in a poor state of health.
The animal owner also failed to adequately care for her cat.
She was subsequently given a suspended jail sentence and a ban on keeping animals for a designated period, as reported by the RSPCA.
The Cardiff Magistrates’ Court heard that on March 12 of the previous year, RSPCA Inspector Sophie Daniels visited Perry’s property in Llanrumney to investigate reports of potential animal abandonment.
Prior to her visit, a colleague had taped the door shut on March 10, with another visit taking place on March 11.
In her testimony, Inspector Daniels explained: In her witness statement provided to the court, Inspector Daniels said: "As I got out of my van, a long hair tabby and white cat came from the right hand side of the front garden where there were some pieces of furniture and rubbish bags and followed me to the front door crying.
The cat seemed healthy but had swollen mammary glands, indicating recent nursing or pregnancy.
The house’s door seals remained unbroken, and despite the lights being on inside, no one responded to her attempts at contact.
The front room’s curtains were mostly drawn, but she saw a tan French Bulldog jumping onto the window sill through a gap, which made assessing its condition difficult; the dog appeared to be quite thin.
Further investigations enabled her to reach the owner, but Perry did not attend the scheduled meeting.
On a subsequent visit, the seals were still intact, and the same animals—the cat and dog—were visible.
Clearer lighting revealed that the dog’s ribs were prominently visible.
Police later entered the premises and removed two dogs and a cat.
Both dogs one male showing ribs, hips, and spine, and a female with a leaner frame and awkward gait were found to be underweight and without access to food or water.
The back door was locked from inside.
The animals were handed over to the RSPCA, and veterinary reviews confirmed their poor health.
The dogs showed eagerness to eat, while the cat managed to drink water three times.
Perry, a resident of Honiton Road, Llanrumney, Cardiff, admitted neglecting her pets under the Animal Welfare Act by failing to provide a suitable environment, proper weight, continuous access to water, and protection from fleas causing pain and disease.
On March 5, at Cardiff Magistrates Court, she received a sentence of four weeks in prison, suspended for two years.
She was ordered to undertake 10 days of rehabilitation and participate in a nine-month alcohol treatment program.
Following her sentencing, RSPCA Inspector Daniels remarked: “All animals deserve to be treated with kindness and should have their needs met.
Thankfully both dogs made an improvement in their body condition and all three have been doing well in our care.”
