Victoria Lodge, 33, of Bournemouth, Dorset, pleaded guilty to animal cruelty after stabbing Celine, a Macedonian sheepdog she had adopted, with a carving knife on April 15. Lodge told authorities that the dog's behavior had triggered her Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and bipolar disorder.
Paramedics responded to Lodge's address following a call to a helpline where she had threatened self-harm or harm to the dog. During their visit, Lodge informed an emergency worker that she had stabbed Celine. She later told a rehoming shelter that the dog was dead.
Upon arrival, paramedics found the living room in disarray with a trail of blood leading to the injured dog. Despite efforts to stabilize Celine in the ambulance, the dog died. Prosecuting, Jade Philippou stated that Lodge failed to seek immediate veterinary care for the suffering animal and was observed cleaning blood from the property while Celine was still alive.
During the sentencing at Bournemouth Crown Court, Judge Jonathan Fuller described Lodge's adoption of Celine as "ill-advised" given her mental health struggles. While acknowledging the cruelty of the act, the judge noted Lodge's psychiatric report, which indicated issues with emotional regulation and impulsivity rather than psychosis or dissociation at the time of the stabbing.
Lodge was disqualified from keeping any animal indefinitely and received a two-year community order with probation supervision. Elisa Allen of PETA commented that a lifetime ban is essential but not the sole response required for such violence.
Macedonian sheepdogs are a large, muscular breed developed for flock protection, known for their loyalty but can be challenging for inexperienced owners due to their independent nature and training demands.