A young woman from North Yorkshire has been banned from owning animals for a minimum of 10 years after her eight-month-old puppy, Joey, was discovered dead from severe starvation in a filthy crate outside her home.
RSPCA Inspector Rowena Proctor made the tragic discovery on February 18, 2024. Joey, a Chihuahua/Shih Tzu cross, was found emaciated inside a crate in Dazie Howe’s garden in Goldsborough, near Harrogate. The crate was surrounded by faeces and urine and was covered with a Christmas blanket.
Inspector Proctor said: “The smell was overwhelming. Joey was just skin and bones, suffering terribly in a tiny cage.” A microchip confirmed that Joey belonged to Howe, who initially denied ownership and gave false excuses about the puppy’s death.
The post-mortem examination shocked veterinary experts. Joey’s stomach was empty, and her intestines contained almost nothing, proving she had not been fed for weeks. A veterinary expert confirmed that Joey endured a month of hunger pangs, abdominal cramps, and organ failure before her death.
The vet stated: “This was heartbreaking neglect that could easily have been prevented.”
Howe’s changing stories fell apart during the investigation. She moved from denying ownership to claiming Joey died from a seizure, claims disproven by breeder photos showing a healthy and vibrant puppy.
At York Magistrates’ Court, 25-year-old Howe was given an 18-month community order including 25 days of rehabilitation. She was banned indefinitely from owning animals, with a minimum 10-year period before she can apply to lift the ban.
Inspector Proctor added: “Joey was a tiny dog who needed so little care. Instead, she was locked away, starved, and neglected.”
This grim case highlights the cruelty some animals suffer behind closed doors and the strict penalties imposed on those who fail to care for their pets.
Originally published by UKNIP.
