Ten year animal ban after dogs and pups neglected

Tanaya Jade Robins (Date of birth: 03/07/1998), of Warren Hill, Torquay, Devon, pleaded guilty to two animal welfare offences, following an investigation and prosecution by the RSPCA.    

Mika, a cane corso, and her litter of eleven five-week-old puppies, were all rescued, along with another cane corso type dog known as Chaos and a bullbreed type dog known as Rocco on 29 January 2025 after concerns were raised about their welfare.

RSPCA officers, who attended alongside police, asked Robins if Mica, who was visibly severely underweight, had seen a vet recently. She replied no and said she was waiting until she gets paid but that she thought she might have pyometra - an infection of the uterus. 

She said that Mica had given birth to puppies on the 26 December 2024 and that all the puppies had died and that they were in her freezer in her property.  She also confirmed that Rocco and Chaos had not seen a vet recently.

While at the property, the sound of puppies was heard which led to the discovery of 11 puppies in the roof space of the property. The access door had been hidden by a chest of drawers in a bedroom. The bodies of three deceased puppies were also found in the freezer. 

The vet, who examined the dogs, said in their report to the court: “Mika was severely underweight with signs of emaciation, she had a body condition score of 1/9 meaning her bony prominences were all evident from a distance. Mika had severe loss of muscle mass, with severe muscle atrophy. This degree of subcutaneous fat loss and muscle atrophy shows chronic malnutrition. 

“Assessment of Mika's eleven puppies showed all were small with poor body conditions and coat quality, indicating subpar nutrition during their development. 

“Clearly the needs of Mika and her puppies had not been met and they had not been cared for adequately.”

In mitigation, it was said to be intentioned but incompetent care and that she had faced 
personal challenges following the death of her partner. 

RSPCA Inspector Beccy Wadey, who investigated for the animal welfare charity, said: “Our plea to all animal owners is to make sure they always receive care when needed.

“Animals are completely reliant on their owners to ensure their needs are met and they are kept safe and healthy. Owning an animal is a privilege - and ensuring an appropriate diet and suitable environment is a key part of the responsibility we have towards them.”

Alongside the ban from keeping animals, she was also sentenced 18 weeks custody, suspended for 12 months, up to 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days, and ordered to pay £800 costs and a £154 victim surcharge, when she appeared at Newton Abbot Magistrates Court on February 19.

All the dogs recovered while in the care of the RSPCA and have since been found homes.