XL Bully Owner Receives Animal Ban After Dog Starved to Death in Birmingham Garden
A Birmingham woman has been banned from keeping animals for a decade after her XL Bully dog was found severely starved, covered in faeces, and had to be put down by veterinary professionals.
Severe Neglect Leads to Tragic Outcome
Renee Cooper, a 40-year-old mother from Claerwen Grove in Northfield, admitted to causing unnecessary suffering to her dog Lyah, described as an 'XL Bully type dog'. The court heard how the animal was kept outside in a garden and suffered for at least three weeks before being brought to PDSA vets in October 2024 in what was described as a "collapsed and emaciated state".
Janita Patel, prosecuting for the RSPCA, confirmed the animal welfare charity was contacted on October 14, 2024, after the dog's dire condition was discovered. "Such was her condition she had to be euthanised," Ms Patel told Birmingham Magistrates' Court. The dog was found to be extremely underweight, skeletal, and with various wounds covered in faeces.
Owner's Admission and Court Sentencing
Cooper admitted two charges of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal along with a further animal welfare offence. Despite claiming she provided food and water for Lyah, she acknowledged she failed to check whether the dog was actually eating on a daily basis.
"You wouldn't expect a reasonable owner not to have taken the animal to a vet," Ms Patel emphasised during proceedings. "The defendant accepted ownership. She said the dog lived outside and maintained she did provide it with food and water but failed to check whether it was eating it on a daily basis. She said she was irresponsible for not checking."
District Judge Michelle Smith described the case as "very serious" but decided against imposing a prison sentence, citing Cooper's two dependent children. Instead, the judge imposed an intensive supervision court order requiring Cooper to complete:
- Up to 30 days of rehabilitation activity
- 12 sessions of a mental health treatment programme
Post-Mortem Findings Confirm Neglect
A post-mortem examination concluded the dog was in poor bodily condition with no underlying medical conditions that would have caused loss of appetite. Veterinary experts estimated Lyah had suffered both physically and mentally for a minimum of three weeks before her tragic death.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about animal welfare and responsible pet ownership, particularly regarding larger dog breeds like XL Bullies that require substantial care and attention. The RSPCA's involvement underscores the importance of reporting suspected animal neglect to prevent similar tragedies.
