ZOE FINLAY'S HORRIFIC CRUELTY IN MORETON: DOGS STARVED TO THE BRINK OF DEATH IN WIRRAL

Zoe Finlay, a woman born around 1982 and residing on Pasture Crescent in Moreton, Wirral, was convicted in 2018 for severe animal neglect that brought two beloved dogs to the verge of death. Her case drew significant attention due to the shocking nature of her actions and the tragic circumstances faced by her pets.

Finlay, a mother of four, faced charges under the Animal Welfare Act relating to her treatment of two dogs: a four-year-old Mastiff named Vinnie and a one-year-old Dogue de Bordeaux named Hugo. Both dogs, being of large breeds, should have weighed over 50 kilograms each, but the conditions they endured led to drastic weight loss. When rescued, Hugo weighed only 26.2kg, and Vinnie was just 21.9kg, far below healthy standards for their breeds.

The rescue operation was initiated by RSPCA inspector Anthony Joynes, who visited Finlay’s home on January 3, 2018, after reports indicated the dogs had been abandoned. Upon arrival, Inspector Joynes observed a distressing scene through the windows: piles of feces and puddles of urine littered the house, with no visible food or water for the animals. Concerned for their welfare, he immediately contacted the police to gain access to the property and arranged for a veterinarian to examine the dogs.

When Inspector Joynes returned to the house, he found the lights on inside. He knocked on the door, which was answered by Finlay herself. Inside, he saw Hugo, the young Dogue de Bordeaux, in the kitchen area. The dog was severely underweight, confirming the inspector’s suspicions. Finlay admitted she was struggling to cope with her pets and that her circumstances had overwhelmed her. She agreed to surrender Hugo into RSPCA care but initially denied knowing about a second dog.

After further questioning, Finlay finally revealed that her other dog, Vinnie, was upstairs in an bedroom. Inspector Joynes had previously seen Vinnie through the window during his initial visit, confirming the dog’s presence inside. Both dogs were rushed to a nearby veterinary clinic, where it was confirmed that Vinnie’s organs had begun to shut down due to neglect. Veterinarians warned that if the dogs had been left another day, they might have died.

Fortunately, both Hugo and Vinnie survived their ordeal. With intensive, round-the-clock care over five days, Hugo gained 3kg, and Vinnie, who had been in a critical state, doubled his weight. Their recovery was remarkable, and both dogs have since been rehomed. Today, Hugo and Vinnie are thriving, but their survival was only possible because of the intervention of concerned members of the public and the diligent work of animal welfare authorities.

Inspector Joynes expressed his disappointment in Finlay’s actions, stating, “Ms Finlay let her dogs down badly. She could have asked for help, but she chose to do nothing. If it hadn’t been for the public’s concern for these dogs, we may well have been dealing with two bodies.”

In court, Finlay received a sentence of 12 weeks in prison, suspended for 18 months, along with a fine of £615 to cover costs. Additionally, she was disqualified from keeping animals for life, a measure intended to prevent her from causing further harm to animals in the future.