Lewisham woman banned from keeping animals after dog's starvation

Vanessa Anne Kentfield, of Manor Park, London, has been banned from owning any animals indefinitely after her three-year-old bull breed dog, Rubic, was found to be in a severely emaciated state following his death. The dog’s body was presented to the New Cross PDSA pet hospital on November 27, 2025, prompting an investigation by the RSPCA.

An examination revealed Rubic weighed only 21kg, which is less than half of what a healthy dog of his breed should weigh. Veterinary notes described the dog as "skeletal", with the bones of his head, thorax, spine, limbs, and pelvis easily visible due to a complete lack of fat or muscle.

Previous veterinary concerns

Rubic had previously been seen by veterinary professionals on August 13, 2024, for a neck laceration. At that time, the dog was already in a starving condition. Ms Kentfield informed the vets that a friend was caring for the dog. Although Rubic later returned to the practice in a slightly improved condition, he remained underweight. A scheduled follow-up check-up was missed, and the RSPCA stated he was not seen again until after his death.

Court ruling and consequences

At Bromley Magistrates’ Court on September 14, Ms Kentfield pleaded guilty to an animal welfare offence. She received a ban from keeping all animals, which is in place until further order. The court also ordered her to pay £300 towards the costs of the prosecution. The disqualification order prevents Ms Kentfield from appealing the decision for a minimum of five years.

During the court proceedings, it was mentioned that Ms Kentfield had been experiencing mental health issues. RSPCA inspector Natalie Kitchin stated that animals depend entirely on their owners for their needs, including proper diet and protection from suffering. She added that owning an animal is a privilege and urged those struggling to seek help.