Dogs discovered ‘mummified’ at Newport girl’s dwelling after ravenous to dying
WARNING, DISTRESSING CONTENT: A woman has been banned from keeping animals for life after her three dogs were found ‘mummified’ at her home following a prolonged period without food or water
A Newport woman has been banned from keeping animals for life(Image: RSPCA Cymru)
A woman has been banned from keeping animals for life after her three pet dogs were found “mummified” at her home. Jamila Michaela Diane Fletcher-Oates did not feed the French bulldogs or provide them with any water for a prolonged period of time, a court heard.
Last July, RSPCA Cymru Inspector Simon Evans attended her home in Bettws, Newport. In the garden of the property he discovered kennels containing the corpses of three French Bulldogs named Precious, Destiny and Diamond.
Fletcher-Oates, 42, informed Inspector Evans that the dogs had been deceased for several months but she had not disposed of their bodies as she had been mourning the death of her wife.
WARNING: DISTRESSING IMAGE
She acknowledged to him that none of the dogs had received any veterinary care before their deaths. The carcass of one of the French Bulldogs was discovered wrapped in three bags, whilst the carcasses of the other two were found in a small travel cage, reports Wales Online.
The photographs provided by RSPCA Cymru are too graphic and disturbing to publish in full – the one we have used has been heavily pixelated.
“At the bottom of the garden, largely secluded from the rest of the house, were two purpose built, steel runs, with solid roofs,” said Inspector Evans. “Outside the first kennel was a black bag in which, I had been informed, was the body of the dog Precious.
“In the second kennel, immediately next to the first, was a small travel cage which contained the desiccated bodies of two further dogs, both French Bulldogs, with the furthest dog being slightly smaller than the nearer one. Both dogs had decomposed and were stuck to a blanket that lined the cage.
“I then opened up the bag containing the body of the dog Precious which lay outside the first run. There were, in fact, three bags all inside each other and which contained the body of the dog.
“The body was again desiccated and all of the hips and ribs were clearly visible. The dog’s coat was sloughing off as I handled it and I noted maggots and fly egg cases over the body.”
Ensure our latest headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as a Preferred Source in your Google search settings
The remains were taken away and all three carcasses were inspected by a veterinarian who described them as appearing “mummified”.
The vet concluded that Destiny and Diamond would have perished from dehydration, whilst Precious endured organ failure that resulted in her death shortly thereafter.
When questioned by RSPCA Cymru, Fletcher-Oates admitted there was a six-day stretch in April last year during which she neglected to care for her dogs, leaving them without food or water throughout this period. This occurred following her wife’s death in February 2024.
She revealed that when she finally went to check on the animals, Destiny and Diamond had perished whilst Precious – despite subsequently receiving food and water – died within two to three weeks.
The dogs’ remains were then abandoned where they lay until just days before Inspector Evans arrived at the premises. Throughout the questioning, Fletcher-Oates showed regret for what she had done.
Fletcher-Oates attended a sentencing hearing at Newport Magistrates’ Court last week having previously admitted guilt to a charge under the Animal Welfare Act – specifically that she inflicted needless suffering upon three dogs.
She received a 20-week jail term, suspended for 12 months, and was instructed to pay £700 in costs plus a £154 victim surcharge. She was also prohibited from owning any animals for life.
After sentencing, Inspector Evans commented: “This is a heartbreaking case on many levels.
“Ultimately three dogs suffered and died after their owner failed to care for them and give them their basic needs. We would urge anyone struggling to seek help.”
