A judge called the case “egregious” cruelty, but handed down a community order because of the defendant’s mental health.
What Happened to Celine
Victoria Lodge, 33, from Bournemouth in Dorset, England, adopted a Macedonian sheepdog named Celine, who had been rescued by a charity. Within three months, according to prosecutors, she was posting on social media about how much she hated the dog. Jade Philippou, prosecuting, told Bournemouth Crown Court that the posts called Celine “demon spawn,” “stupid” and “unmanageable.”
After contacting a charity helpline, Lodge was visited by paramedics. She told them she had PTSD and bipolar disorder, which she said Celine’s behavior triggered. A paramedic offered to contact the RSPCA on her behalf. The next day, when he called with an update, Lodge was “hysterical and screaming” and said she had stabbed the dog.
A Living Room “Destroyed”
The court heard that when paramedics and police arrived, the living room was “destroyed,” with a trail of blood leading to Celine, who was still breathing with her eyes open. She had been stabbed in the abdomen with a carving knife. Paramedics packed the wound and carried the dog to the ambulance, and they asked Lodge if she wanted to come along to the pet hospital. The court heard she told them to leave her house.
Celine died despite the efforts of the emergency workers. Prosecutors said Lodge made no attempt to seek help for the dog and cleaned some of the blood while the animal lay suffering. Lodge also posted on social media that the dog was dead and called a rehoming shelter to say it wasn’t needed.
The Sentence
Lodge pleaded guilty to animal cruelty. Judge Jonathan Fuller sentenced her to a two-year community order with probation supervision and disqualified her from keeping any animal indefinitely. She had already signed her two cats over to the RSPCA and didn’t dispute the ban.
The judge said adopting Celine was “ill-advised” given Lodge’s mental health problems, and that without the explanation of her mental state at the time, the case would have been regarded as “very cruel — even egregious.” He added: “There is always a choice.”
What the Defense and Psychiatrists Said
Laura Deuxberry, defending, described Lodge’s social media posts as a “cry for help” and said she was now more stable and had a support network. A psychiatric report found no sign of dissociation or psychosis at the time of the attack, but suggested she was likely struggling with emotional regulation and impulsivity.
Animal Welfare Groups React
Elisa Allen of PETA said a lifetime ban on keeping animals was essential, but called it insufficient as the only response to such violence.
Not a Dog for First-Time Owners
Macedonian sheepdogs are large dogs bred to protect flocks from bears and wolves in the Balkans. They are usually loyal and affectionate toward their families but independent and hard to train, and they are not considered a good fit for first-time or inexperienced owners.
Adopting Responsibly
Experts say the best time to ask for help is before a situation gets out of control:
- Research the breed first. Large guardian breeds need experienced handling and training.
- Ask for help early. Rescues, trainers and vets can offer support, and many will take a dog back.
- Get mental health support. If you’re struggling, speak to a doctor or a counselor before taking on a pet.
- Never harm the animal. If you can’t cope, contact a shelter or the RSPCA.
Support and Planning for Pet Owners
- Training and behavior. Look at dog trainers near me, online dog training courses and animal behaviorist consultations.
- Pet protection. Compare pet insurance, emergency vet coverage and pet adoption counseling.
- Wellbeing. Explore online therapy, mental health counseling and support groups.
- Rescue support. Consider animal rescue donations and foster programs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Victoria Lodge? A 33-year-old woman from Bournemouth, England, who pleaded guilty to animal cruelty after stabbing her adopted dog, Celine.
What was she sentenced to? A two-year community order with probation supervision and an indefinite ban on keeping animals.
Why wasn’t she jailed? The judge took into account her mental health difficulties, though he said the offense would otherwise be regarded as egregious.
What breed was the dog? A Macedonian sheepdog, a large livestock-guardian breed that isn’t recommended for first-time owners.
What did animal welfare groups say? PETA said a lifetime ban was essential but should not be the only response.
Sources: The Daily Mail and HeadTopics, both covering the sentencing of Victoria Lodge at Bournemouth Crown Court for the stabbing of her adopted Macedonian sheepdog, Celine.
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