Target: Siobhan Blake, Chief Crown Prosecutor for West Midlands, United Kingdom
Goal: Secure the longest prison term and a lifetime animal-ownership ban for the individual who shattered a dog’s skull with a hammer and locked her in a tiny cage.
Bella, a brindle Staffordshire bull terrier–cross, was beaten so savagely that her skull and ribs fractured. Investigators say her former owner confined her to a cramped cage, leaving her severely underweight and covered in untreated injuries. The suffering only ended when a passer-by bought Bella from the abuser and rushed her to emergency veterinary care.
X-rays taken at the RSPCA’s Newbrook Animal Hospital revealed the extent of Bella’s injuries: a broken skull, broken ribs, and widespread bruising. According to court records, the man responsible has already pleaded guilty to three counts under the Animal Welfare Act. Thanks to devoted rescuers, Bella has recovered and now thrives in a loving home—but she will carry the physical and emotional scars for life.
A guilty plea should not mean leniency. Sign below to demand meaningful justice—substantial jail time, a lifetime ban on keeping animals, and mandatory counseling—to deter other potential abusers and reaffirm society’s commitment to protecting vulnerable creatures. Anything less risks sending a dangerous message that extreme cruelty will be met with a slap on the wrist.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Prosecutor Blake,
Bella was discovered with a shattered skull, broken ribs, and dangerous weight loss—injuries inflicted by her owner with a hammer while she was locked in a cage. Veterinary evidence documented the extensive trauma, and the defendant has now pleaded guilty to multiple violations of the Animal Welfare Act.
This cruelty was not an isolated lapse in judgment; it was a prolonged pattern of violence that very nearly killed an innocent animal. Without swift intervention and costly emergency care, Bella would likely have died in agony. The seriousness of this case demands a sentencing outcome that matches the devastating harm inflicted.
We urge the Crown Prosecution Service to seek the maximum custodial sentence permitted by law, impose a permanent prohibition on animal ownership, and require psychological counseling. A robust penalty will help ensure Bella’s abuser can never again endanger another living being and will underscore that the justice system treats heinous animal cruelty with the gravity it deserves.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo credit: Shanna Dugan
