Woman banned from keeping animals after pet subjected to repeated injuries
An East Yorkshire woman has been banned from keeping animals 15 years after a cat and a dog died in her care in Newquay.
Ellen Gibson, 26, from Kilham, was also given a 23-week prison sentence, suspended for two years, after she was found to be responsible for two animals which died at Trekenning Tourist Park between December 2024 and April 2025.
The former professional dog walker pleaded guilty on charges of causing a Labrador known as Chance and a cat known as Casper to suffer unnecessarily and permitting it to happen or failing to prevent another person causing the animals to suffer.
She also pleaded guilty to, together with Jordan Wood, 25, causing unnecessary suffering to Chance by failing to provide prompt and effective treatment veterinary care for his head injuries.
She was also ordered to have treatment for her mental health and to pay £1,000 costs and a £154 surcharge when she appeared for sentencing at Bodmin Magistrates Court on Friday, September 11.
Wood was jailed for 18 months and banned from keeping animals for life when he was sentenced last month after pleading guilty to three animal welfare offences, including inflicting injuries Casper and Chase.
The RSPCA began an investigation after concerns were raised by a vet about the welfare of the couple’s pets and the nature of their injuries in April last year when Chance was taken to a vet with various injuries.
The vet alerted the RSPCA who visited the address and Chance was seized by police and placed into RSPCA care.
He was taken for further veterinary examinations which found that Chance sustained multiple traumatic head, throat, and spinal injuries over several months.
RSPCA Inspector Jack Alderson, who investigated for the animal welfare charity, said: “The cruelty inflicted upon innocent animals like Chance and Casper is an unforgivable betrayal of trust. Every living creature deserves a life free from suffering and filled with compassion.”