Dog ban for woman who left pets in former home

A woman who left a dog and puppy in an empty house after moving out has been banned from keeping dogs for five years.

The French bulldogs were starving and dehydrated when they were found at the address in Derby Road, Southampton, on 25 January 2024, the RSPCA said.

Aprillouise Toni Rushford, 35, from London Road, pleaded guilty to failing to meet the dogs' needs for 17 days as well as causing unnecessary suffering.

She was given a two-year conditional discharge by Southampton magistrates.

Warning: Distressing image below

The RSPCA said the dogs, which are being rehomed, were reported by the property's landlord.

Jo Story from the charity said: "I slowly opened the door to see a small French bulldog puppy.

"She was extremely skinny with all her ribs showing and the room was full of faeces.

"She was absolutely desperate to get out and chewing at the door. There were scratch marks on the door as well.

"In another room, which was also filled with faeces and clutter including broken plates on the floor, was an underweight adult French bulldog."

The dogs initially weighed 3.3kg (7.3lb) and 7.3kg (16.1lb), the RSPCA said.

The mother added a third of her weight and the puppy's weight doubled with care, it added.

In her defence, Ms Rushford said she was temporarily staying elsewhere and did not want to tell the landlord about the dogs because she was not allowed pets, according to the charity.

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