Woman left dogs to starve to death after moving homes

A woman who left her two dogs to starve to death after moving out of her flat has been banned from keeping animals for life.

Nicole Louise Cooper, from Bristol, had owned Bruno and Aniyla for three years but deserted them in October 2024 and did not return.

The 23-year-old pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to an animal following a prosecution by the RSPCA for the pets' "inhumane deaths".

Cooper was also sentenced to a year in custody, suspended for two years, and must pay £587 towards costs and a victim surcharge.

She was ordered to carry out five rehabilitation activity requirement days.

On 13 December 2024, police carried out a welfare check for Cooper at the bedsit she had been occupying at Molesworth Close, south Bristol.

The property was vacant but officers found the dogs' remains inside.

RSPCA inspector Dan Hatfield, who investigated for the charity, said the animals were found near each other in the main room, which measured three metres (10ft) by four metres (15ft).

A vet who examined the bodies said the ultimate cause of death would have been through dehydration and starvation leading to organ failure.

In their report to the court, the vet described the dogs' passing as "a very inhumane way to die".

Cooper will be unable to appeal the ban for the next 15 years.

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