A bulldog named Callie starved to death in a shed, while another, Bella, was found severely underweight inside the home of Christina Emanuel, of Cinema Drive, Wavertree (L15).
Mother-of-five Emanuel was sentenced to 26 weeks’ imprisonment, disqualified from keeping animals indefinitely, and ordered to pay £1,452 in costs plus a victim surcharge.
She has been granted bail pending appeal.
Offender Overview
- Name: Christina Jane Emanuel
- Born: circa 1985
- Age at Conviction: 41
- Last Known Address: Cinema Drive, Wavertree, Liverpool L15
- Occupation: Unknown
- Previous Convictions: Assault. Emanuel has a prior conviction for violently assaulting another woman in front of her child during a street confrontation. The victim was punched repeatedly and sustained injuries. Emanuel was convicted of assault and received a community order along with a compensation order. The court criticised her behaviour, noting that the incident occurred in full view of her young child.
- Additional Information: Caring for a seven‑year‑old son with severe autism; claimed dogs belonged to cousin who died by suicide earlier in the year.
Incident Details
RSPCA inspectors attended the property following reports of “thin dogs.”
- October (2025): First visit — underweight dog seen; contact card left.
- November 4: Second visit — Bella found inside the house, clearly underweight; Callie found dead in the shed.
- Post‑mortem confirmed starvation as the likely cause of death; Callie’s stomach was empty.
- Bella scored 2/9 on the body condition scale (1 = emaciated).
- Emanuel claimed the dogs fought and were “vicious,” saying she fed one dog soup and the other by throwing KFC through a window.
- Bella gained 4kg in one month once properly fed and has shown no aggression in her new home.
Animal Victims
- Callie (bulldog):
- Found deceased in shed
- Cause of death: Starvation
- Stomach empty; no disease present
- Bella (bulldog):
- Found severely underweight
- Body condition score: 2/9
- Recovered rapidly with proper care
- Rehomed; no aggression reported
Sentence
Court: Wirral Magistrates’ Court
Date: 19 August 2026
Penalty:
- 26 weeks’ imprisonment
- Indefinite ban on keeping animals
- £1,452 costs + victim surchargeMitigation:
- Caring for autistic child
- Emotional distress
- Claimed dogs belonged to cousin who died by suicide
- Claimed fear of dogs and difficulty copingAdditional Notes:
- Bail granted pending appeal to Crown Court
- Judge stated suffering was “so serious” that only immediate custody was appropriate