Staffordshire Bull Terrier left to starve to death by woman

Carrie Hansford had Staffordshire Bull Terrier Rocky for 10 years.

But after getting a new partner who could not have pets where they lived, she ditched her faithful companion.

READ MORE: RSPCA warns animal neglect is on the rise in Hampshire

Rocky was locked inside her house in Junction Road, Totton, where he was left to die a slow, painful death, surrounded by huge piles of rubbish and his own waste.

The last time the 43-year-old saw Rocky was the day after he died - but she simply left his body there to rot and went back to her partner's house.

His emaciated and insect-riddled remains were finally found a long time later when a dog warden broke into the house with a warrant.

Carrie Hansford from Totton left her Staffordshire Bull Terrier for dead after moving in with her partner (Image: Newsquest)

Prosecutor Sarah Wheadon told Southampton Magistrates' Court the warden was hit with an ‘overwhelming smell’ upon entry and thought somebody had died.

When he discovered Rocky's body in the kitchen on December 17, 2022, it was surrounded by cobwebs.

Ms Wheadon said 'he been dead for a long time'.

She added: “Rocky weighed 6.75kg when he was found and his collar was four times too big for him.

“He was emaciated through starvation. His owner stopped providing for him and he was in an unsuitable environment.

“Rocky’s claws were overgrown and there were insect larvae in his fur.

“It was found that he was subject to pain and headaches, fear, distress, and anxiety from not being able to escape for at least six weeks or longer.

“This is a case of prolonged neglect and deliberate disregard for the welfare of an animal.”

There was no evidence of food or water for the dog in the house – but Hansford claimed Rocky ‘never went without’ either.

She pleaded guilty to two counts of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal.

Representing her, David Adams described her actions as ‘very serious’.

He said: “Guilty pleas are the correct ones in this case.

“This is clearly a serious matter. She is a lady of good character and has no previous convictions.”

Chair of the magistrates’ Anne Toomer ordered a pre-sentence report to be prepared and for Hansford to return to the court on April 19.

Reacting to the horrific incident, a spokesperson for the RSPCA - which brought the case to court - said: “Animals are completely reliant on their owners to ensure their needs are met.

"Providing food, water and a suitable living environment are essential elements of that care. 

“The vet report highlighted that he had been caused to suffer via a number of mechanisms: through weakness, fatigue and general malaise as a consequence of starvation and disorientation, thirst and pain as a consequence of dehydration.

"The vet also concluded he would have experienced fear, distress, despair and anxiety because of the prolonged repeated social isolation in an unsuitable environment.”