MICHELLE BAILEY and DAVID CHAPMAN – HUNTINGDONSHIRE

Michelle Bailey, 41, and David Chapman, 42, from Ramsey, Huntingdonshire PE26 – starved three dogs and three cats and kept them in squalor.

Bailey and Chapman, who are already serving lengthy prison terms for extortion-related offences, admitted failing to meet the welfare needs of a female pug type dog, a male labrador type dog, a male cane corso type dog, a female Siamese type cat, a female and a male black and white kittens.

The RSPCA attended the couple’s address in September 2024 after being alerted by police. When the inspector arrived, the police had placed the three dogs in their vehicle. All were visibly underweight with their ribs prominent.

The inspector was unable to enter the house due to the active police investigation into the extortion offences. They were however provided with video evidence of the property’s interior, which was extremely cluttered with piled of belongings all over the floor.

Large amounts of faeces were present throughout.

Based on this evidence, all six animals were seized and taken to a vet before being transferred to private boarding facilities.

A second vet confirmed in their report that there was no underlying medical cause to the pets’ weight loss and they had simply been deprived of food.

The vet gave the professional opinion that “all six animals in this case have been suffering for at least two weeks from starvation.

“This would have resulted in feelings of extreme hunger, weakness nausea, gastrointestinal discomfort and pain.”

Two of the cats had been suffering from a flea infestation and secondary skin infection for at least two weeks.

The third cat had notable fur loss and skin scabbing.

The pair pleaded guilty to failing to meet the animals’ need for a suitable diet, failing to provide adequate veterinary treatment for flea infestations and/or skin disease and failing to meet their need for a suitable environment.

In mitigation, the court heard both defendants said they “suffered with their mental health”.

RSPCA Inspector Dean Astillberry who investigated the case said after the hearing: “As an RSPCA Inspector with 30 years’ experience, it is clear to me that these dogs were living in circumstances that were likely to cause them suffering.

“The poor environment that the cats were living in would have an equally negative effect on their welfare.

“It was clear on the police video that the living environment that these animals were forced to live in was not conducive to good welfare.

“The floor was littered with animal faeces and household items which present a hazard to both the dogs and the cats.

“The dogs were all underweight and their dietary needs were clearly not being met.

“We are grateful to the police for all their support during this investigation and I am pleased to say that all the animals are doing well in RSPCA care with some having been rehomed. “

Chapman: 18 weeks in prison, with an additional 14 days for activation of an existing suspended sentence.
Bailey: 16 weeks’ imprisonment.
Both ordered to pay a £154 victim surcharge.
Lifetime disqualification.

Extortion case: https://www.cambs.police.uk/news/cambridgeshire/news/2025/october/violent-gang-lured-victims-online-kidnapped-and-blackmailed-them-of-thousands-of-pounds