Sandra Brumby, a former kennel manager and fully qualified dog groomer and breeder, has been jailed for 20 months and banned from owning animals for life after two of her dogs were put to sleep after being left without food or water and the bodies of another two were found in her kitchen.
Hull Crown Court heard that Brumby's Rottweilers, Coco, four, and Dakota, two, were in a terrible condition with their ribs clearly visible before they were put down.
Deliberate Disregard for Welfare
Judge Richard Woolfall said: "A large amount of dog food was found. None of that was in reach of the dogs. The dogs did not have access to water or food. That was their basic need. The two dogs that had already died were cremated."
He added: "It demonstrates a level of cruelty here by neglect. That should have been a warning sign to anybody, but especially to you with your background."
Discovery at Home
The abuse came to light when Brumby's cousin visited her at home in Phelps Street, Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire, and found the room the dogs lived in covered in their mess. The cousin then became aware of a dispute with the neighbours about dog mess, with Brumby becoming paranoid that the dogs might be poisoned. As a result, she kept them inside and later told her cousin "My boy is dead", referring to one of her dogs.
Brumby then made her cousin promise not to tell anyone. The cousin returned and found Brumby "under the influence of alcohol" and unsteady on her feet. The cousin believed the two dogs would not make it through the night as "Dakota could not stand up".
Judge Woolfall said: "She told you that Dakota was dying and needed help immediately." Brumby tried to pick up Dakota and to "pretend" to her cousin: "Look – she's fine." Brumby tried to "cover up" the "dire condition" that the dog was in.
Court Proceedings
The cousin found two malnourished dogs on top of each other on the kitchen floor. "It was obvious that both dogs were dead," said Judge Woolfall. It was then that Brumby became aggressive and pulled her cousin out of the kitchen, the court heard. "Family members attended at the property but you would not answer," said Judge Woolfall.
Brumby was "non-compliant" when police went to her house, speaking to officers through an upstairs window before eventually opening the door. "You attempted to close the door when the police tried to gain entry," said Judge Woolfall. No charges were made in relation to the two dogs who were already found dead.
Connor Stuart, mitigating, said that Brumby understood the gravity of what she had done. She had shown thoughtlessness. "Her alcohol intake had significantly increased," said Mr Stuart. "It was abject neglect." Brumby accepted that matters like this provoked strong emotional reactions. She had no previous convictions but she had cautions for assault and criminal damage.
Brumby admitted two offences of causing unnecessary suffering to the two Rottweilers on November 11 and has now been jailed for 20 months. She is banned from owning or keeping all animals for life and cannot appeal against the disqualification for at least 15 years.
