HELEN KNIBBS aka LIZZIE KNIBBS – GRIMSBY

❌HELEN KNIBBS aka LIZZIE KNIBBS – GRIMSBY❌

Helen Elizabeth Knibbs, who goes by Lizzie Knibbs, 45, from Nunsthorpe, Grimsby DN33 – left a dog to starve to death in a cluttered outbuilding.

Knibbs, who is originally from High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, and has also lived in Market Rasen, Lincolnshire, admitted starving the unnamed Staffy, resulting in the dog’s death.

The RSPCA had visited the property Knibbs shares with husband Craig Stewart Knibbs, 51, twice in September and October 2023, after receiving reports with concerns for the dog. However, Knibbs denied having the animal and refused to allow the officers inside the property.

Following more reports, RSPCA Inspector Natalie Hill contacted Humberside Police who issued a warrant to enter the house in November 2023. The RSPCA inspector and the police officers sadly discovered the female dog dead inside an outbuilding.

In her witness statement, Inspector Hill said: “Inside this shed-like building there was a chest freezer, bikes, shelving and other household items, no area of the floor was clear. There were, what I believe, dog faeces at the doorway, old and dried.

“Just in front of the chest freezer on, what looked like, a sleeping bag was a deceased brindle Staffie type dog with some white on the neck area. The body condition of the dog was skeletal.

“[To collect the body for evidence] I was required to peel the dog’s head from the bedding material due to the decomposition – the smell was overwhelming.”

The dog was taken to a vet for examination, but a post mortem was not possible due to the extent of decomposition. Vets were however able to confirm that the body condition was emaciated, and the dog’s death was likely caused by starvation.

Sentencing Knibbs, the District Judge remarked on the ‘disgusting offence’ and said: “I have sat as a judge for 20 years and prior to that 17 years in private practice. I have seen some gruesome photos and dealt with unpleasant offences in animal welfare. As far as this case goes this is one of the most abhorrent awful crimes I have sentenced.

“I do not accept that in this case you have done anything but ignore a dog starving to death in excruciating pain.”

After the hearing, RSPCA Inspector Natalie Hill said: “This was an incredibly difficult and upsetting case to investigate and this dog’s sad death has really stayed with me.

“To think of her alone inside that outbuilding, without food and just waiting for someone to let her out, is utterly heartbreaking.”

*Another person whose identity has not been disclosed was brought to court earlier in 2025 as part of the same RSPCA investigation. This individual pleaded guilty to one animal welfare offence. and was also given a three-month immediate jail sentence. They were disqualified from owning all animals for 10 years, but can appeal after four years.

three-month immediate custodial. victim surcharge of £154. Disqualified from owning all animals for 10 years but can appeal after four.