SUZANNE WIMBLEDON AND SHUMAN RASHID HORRIFYING ANIMAL CRUELTY IN GREENWICH

In a disturbing case of animal neglect and cruelty, Suzanne Wimbledon, born circa 1979, residing at Aylmer House on Eastney Street in London SE10 9NU, and her partner Shuman Rashid, born around 1974 and now living on Oakley Lane in Lambeth, have been convicted for their role in starving four large dogs kept in deplorable conditions within their cramped flat in Greenwich.

According to reports, the couple deliberately starved their pets to prevent them from defecating inside their living space. The neglect was so severe that the four dogs became dangerously emaciated, with one succumbing to malnutrition. The case first drew attention from the RSPCA in March 2022, following the death of a Great Dane named Zara, who was found to be severely underweight and had died in an animal hospital.

Inspectors from the RSPCA visited the couple’s residence on Eastney Street, describing it as a hoarder’s nightmare. The flat was cluttered with stacked boxes, leaving minimal room for movement. Inspector Natasha Wallis recounted her experience, stating, “The small flat appeared to be that of a hoarder’s property. There were multiple boxes stacked on top of each other, with little room to manoeuvre inside.” She further described Rocky, a husky-type dog, as being so underweight that her fingers could easily feel his bones along his spine, hips, and ribs. Rocky appeared weak and unsteady on his feet. Kiko, a Staffie cross, was confined in a small cage with only a blanket for comfort.

Additional insights from Inspector Harriet Daliday revealed that a veterinarian had informed her that Rashid admitted to not feeding the dogs enough to prevent them from defecating inside the flat. Rashid also claimed to have rehomed a Neapolitan Mastiff named Kali in January 2022. The vet’s testimony highlighted that Kali had never been at a healthy weight from August 2018 until her rehoming in January 2022. Similarly, Zsa Zsa, another dog, was recorded to have the lowest possible body condition score from July 2021 until her death in March 2022 due to emaciation.

Despite veterinary advice to increase their food intake, both Wimbledon and Rashid insisted that doing so would cause the dogs to produce more feces, leading them to ignore professional guidance. They also frequently missed scheduled appointments to monitor the dogs’ weights. It was noted that the dogs attended vet visits dressed in coats, even during summer, likely to conceal their severe underweight condition.

During court proceedings, Rashid pleaded guilty to five charges under the Animal Welfare Act, while Wimbledon admitted to three. The defendants claimed that they had done their “incompetent best” for the dogs, citing disabilities—Rashid with a back injury and Wimbledon being deaf—as mitigating factors. However, the magistrates condemned the case as an “appalling example of animal cruelty.” Recognizing their early guilty pleas, the court suspended their custodial sentences but imposed a lifetime ban on owning animals.

Following sentencing, Inspector Wallis expressed her distress over the case, stating, “It was daily torture for these poor dogs to be kept in this flat—they were being starved in what appeared to be a hoarder’s property. Three of the dogs became emaciated, and the other was confined to a cage. The defendants were repeatedly told to increase the dogs’ food intake, but they didn’t, which is why Zsa Zsa died.”

She added, “Not only did they suffer physically from starvation, but they also endured mental distress from being confined in such a small space for days on end, which would have been extremely depressing for them. Since coming into our care, Rocky has gained weight and is now in good health. Kiko, initially nervous and anxious, has shown remarkable improvement thanks to the care provided by our staff.”

The court sentenced the pair to 12 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months, along with 100 hours of unpaid work each. They were also ordered to pay a total of £428 in costs and surcharges. Most notably, both Wimbledon and Rashid received lifetime bans from owning or caring for animals, marking a significant victory for animal welfare advocates in Greenwich.