Home / Crime and Justice / Starving Dogs Rescued, Owner Exposed in Shocking Cruelty Case
Starving Dogs Rescued, Owner Exposed in Shocking Cruelty Case
23 Oct
Summary
- 31-year-old woman starved her two Maltese terriers
- Tried to pass off the dogs as strays she found
- One dog had to be euthanized due to severe neglect
In a shocking case of animal cruelty, a 31-year-old woman named Shauna Rouse from Oldham, UK has been exposed for starving her two Maltese terriers and attempting to pass them off as strays she had discovered.
On October 10th, 2025, Rouse appeared in Tameside Magistrates Court and pleaded guilty to two offenses under the Animal Welfare Act 2006. An investigation by the RSPCA Greater Manchester Animal Hospital revealed that Rouse was responsible for the appalling condition of the dogs, which were brought to the Dogs Trust Manchester Rehoming Centre in Denton last month.
One of the dogs, named Bailey, weighed just 2.75kg and was in such poor health that vets had to make the heartbreaking decision to euthanize him to prevent further suffering. The other dog, nicknamed Tiny Tim by staff, was also severely malnourished at 2.8kg but has since been rehomed and is now thriving at 4.09kg.
Rouse was banned from owning animals for 10 years, given a 12-month community order, and a 10-week curfew. The shocking case has highlighted the importance of responsible pet ownership and the need for greater support for struggling owners to prevent such tragic outcomes.
