MIA DE MARZO – STOKE ON TRENT Stoke-on-Trent Woman Convicted After Leaving Elde…

❌MIA DE MARZO – STOKE ON TRENT❌

Stoke-on-Trent Woman Convicted After Leaving Elderly Dog Locked in Bathroom

A woman from Stoke-on-Trent has been banned from keeping animals for five years after leaving her elderly dog shut in a bathroom for several days without food or water.

Mia De Marzo, 26, of Bucknall (ST2), admitted causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal and breaching bail conditions when she appeared before North Staffordshire Magistrates’ Court.

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Police discovered the emaciated dog surrounded by faeces

Officers attended De Marzo’s property on another matter and found her 13-year-old American bulldog, Zara, confined to the bathroom. The dog was emaciated, surrounded by faeces, and had been left without food or water for around five days.

De Marzo claimed she had left the tap and toilet accessible so Zara could drink and said she had been “throwing food through the window.” She also told officers that her council keys had been taken and she had been unable to gain access to the property.

The dog was taken by police to a veterinary practice, where she received treatment and care. Vets later reported that Zara was recovering well.

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“She simply couldn’t cope”

In mitigation, the court heard that De Marzo had been a victim of domestic violence, was homeless, and was living at a Salvation Army hostel in Stoke-on-Trent. Her solicitor said she had been struggling with mental health issues and had not been taking her prescribed medication.

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Sentence and animal ban

Magistrates imposed a community order including 20 rehabilitation activity days. De Marzo was also ordered to pay an £80 fine, £85 in costs, and a £114 victim surcharge.

She was banned from keeping animals for five years, though the court ruled she may apply to have the ban lifted after three years.