SHEREANE BROWN FROM SOUTHWARK SENTENCED FOR STARVING DOG ON LONDON BALCONY

In a disturbing case that has shocked the local community, Shereane Brown, a resident of Southwark, was found guilty of neglecting her two-year-old female bull breed dog, Stone, by leaving her in a severely emaciated state on the balcony of her flat. The incident came to light on December 13, 2023, when RSPCA officers responded to a tip-off at Brown’s address located on Augustus Court, Old Kent Road, London SE1 4NY.

Upon arrival, animal rescue officer Sidonie Smith discovered Stone in a dire condition. The dog was extremely underweight, weak, and suffering from pressure sores across her rear end. Her paws were inflamed and sore, with long claws, and scabs covered her ears. Smith described the scene, stating, “Stone was severely emaciated and had pressure sores all over her rear end. Her paws were red and sore, with long claws and she also had scabs on her ears.”

Throughout the inspection, the dog remained subdued, sitting quietly in the flat. When questioned about Stone’s condition, Brown claimed that the dog was not hers and that her son had brought her home a few months prior. She also mentioned that she had been attempting daily to register the dog with a veterinarian, as she was concerned about her weight loss. However, when asked why she hadn’t simply taken the dog to a vet, Brown did not provide a clear explanation.

As the officers prepared to leave, Stone struggled to walk, falling several times on her front legs. The dog appeared extremely weak and was visibly shaking. She was subsequently taken to Finsbury Park Animal Hospital for urgent care. Veterinarians at the facility reported that Stone weighed only 13.05 kilograms and scored just one out of nine on a body condition scale, indicating severe undernourishment. The vet confirmed that her condition was caused by starvation rather than any underlying illness.

According to the veterinarian, Stone had been suffering for at least four weeks, though it was likely longer. The vet explained, “I believe that Stone was fed an inadequate diet which led to her becoming emaciated. She was suffering for at least four weeks, but it is likely that it was for longer.” The presence of pressure sores was attributed to her poor condition and lack of proper bedding. The vet emphasized that her suffering could have been prevented if Brown had sought veterinary advice and provided appropriate nutrition.

Following her rescue, Stone was given intensive care and has since made significant progress. She has more than doubled her weight and is now in a stable condition. She is currently being cared for at a private boarding facility in Kent that is approved by the RSPCA. The charity has announced plans to find her a new, loving home where she can recover fully and enjoy a better quality of life.

In court, Brown faced charges of causing unnecessary suffering to Stone by neglecting her health and failing to investigate her worsening condition. During mitigation, her legal representatives claimed that she had done her “incompetent best” for the dog, though this was met with widespread criticism.

Inspector Beaman, commenting after the sentencing, expressed disappointment in Brown’s failure to seek help. “The defendant had enough time to address Stone’s weight loss. If she was really struggling to feed the dog properly, she could have sought assistance from the RSPCA’s foodbank scheme or at one of our local branches. Stone’s weight loss was so concerning that had the defendant just walked into a local vet, the dog would have been seen and treated,” he said.

Brown was sentenced to a one-year community order, which includes 150 hours of unpaid work. Additionally, she was disqualified from keeping pets for ten years, a ban that will expire in October 2034. This case highlights the importance of responsible pet ownership and the need for timely intervention in cases of animal neglect.