A woman who fatally stabbed her adopted Macedonian sheepdog has been spared jail time, with a judge noting her mental health struggles as a factor. Victoria Lodge, 33, was disqualified from owning any animal indefinitely after pleading guilty to a charge of animal cruelty.
Lodge adopted the dog, named Celine, in January 2024. Within three months, she expressed extreme dislike for the animal on social media, calling it 'demon spawn' and stating she wanted it gone. She contacted a charity helpline, expressing threats of self-harm or harming the dog. Paramedics visited her home and were told Lodge suffered from PTSD and bipolar disorder, which she claimed Celine's behavior had triggered. The following day, Lodge informed the paramedic she had stabbed the dog.
When emergency services arrived, they found the dog with a stab wound to the abdomen from a carving knife and the living room in disarray with a trail of blood. Despite attempts to stabilize Celine in an ambulance, the dog died. Prosecutors stated Lodge showed "deliberate disregard for welfare," failing to seek immediate veterinary assistance for the suffering animal while she cleaned blood from the property.
During sentencing, Judge Jonathan Fuller described Lodge's adoption of Celine as "ill-advised" given her mental health issues. He acknowledged that her actions would typically be viewed as "very cruel, even egregious," but considered her state at the time. A psychiatric report indicated Lodge struggled with "emotional regulation and impulsivity" but showed no signs of psychosis or dissociation during the stabbing. Lodge's defense attorney highlighted her improved stability and support network.
Macedonian sheepdogs are a large breed known for protecting livestock. While generally loyal, they are intelligent, independent, and can be challenging to train, making them unsuitable for inexperienced owners.