Woman Sentenced to Suspended Prison Term and Lifetime Animal Ban for Starving Two German Shepherds

A 70-year-old woman, Sylvia Woodward, has been handed a suspended 12-week prison sentence and banned indefinitely from owning animals after starving two young German Shepherd dogs, one of whom died and was buried in her backyard.

The RSPCA was alerted after receiving disturbing photographs showing the severely malnourished dogs in a garden near Malton.

Following an inspection on December 5, 2024, rescue officer James Dack described one dog, Merlin, as subdued and anxious.

The second dog, Sam, had gone missing but was later confirmed by Woodward to have starved to death and was buried in her property in Burythorpe.

Woodward, now residing in Hovingham, admitted to breaching the Animal Welfare Act. During sentencing at York Magistrates’ Court on September 4, magistrates highlighted the “significant suffering” caused by depriving the animals of food and water over several months.

Besides the suspended sentence, Woodward was ordered to pay £154 surcharge for victim services and £400 in costs.

Merlin was taken into RSPCA care but eventually euthanized due to deteriorating physical and mental health. Woodward is prohibited from challenging her lifetime ban on animal ownership for 10 years.

The case shines a harsh light on animal neglect and cruelty, emphasizing the importance of strong enforcement and public vigilance to protect vulnerable animals from suffering.