In 2026, the Offender Register reported that after the RSPCA prosecuted a woman from South Wales who starved a bulldog to death, she was prohibited from owning animals for the rest of her life.
Annasha McCarthy, 28, of Mayhill, Swansea, entered a guilty plea to violating the Animal Welfare Act 2006 by neglecting to investigate the causes of her dog’s weight loss.
The defendant received a four-month prison sentence, which was suspended for 18 months, in addition to the disqualification, when she appeared for sentencing at Swansea Magistrates’ Court on July 2.
As part of the order, she was instructed to complete 100 hours of unpaid work and 15 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement (RAR) days.
The court was informed that Chico, a three-year-old bulldog, was already deceased when he was brought to a veterinarian in Swansea on October 20, 2017.
In just nine months, he had shed more than half of his body weight.
McCarthy was intentionally depriving Chico of food, thereby intentionally starving him to death, while posting “loving” posts about him on Facebook.
RSPCA Inspector Jemima Hanks-Martin contacted the defendant, who acknowledged responsibility for the dog despite it having been registered in her ex-partner’s name. The dog was microchipped.
Chico’s body condition score was one out of nine, according to a veterinarian who examined him. A score of 5 indicates optimal weight, while 1 indicates emaciation.
The bulldog’s skeletal structure was readily apparent due to the absence of body fat and muscle, as he weighed a mere 10.9kg.
Chico’s weight had decreased by 11.3kg since his most recent health check on January 30, 2018, according to records at the same veterinary practice where he was registered.
The veterinarian determined that Chico was malnourished for a minimum of one month prior to his passing.
The District Judge who sentenced McCarthy informed her that she had failed to act and had caused the dog to starve to death. However, he also acknowledged that the defendant’s “fear of being judged and a lack of finances” had contributed to her inaction.
McCarthy was instructed to reimburse the court for £150 in court costs.
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