Key Points
- Anne Marie-Wood, from St James Street, Milnrow, Rochdale, has been banned from owning animals for a period of five years following her conviction for causing unnecessary suffering to a dog.
- Her Bichon Frise named Tilly had suffered from an unattended broken leg which led to the dog being put down.
- RSPCA officials came into Anne Marie Wood’s house in December 2024 due to a report of untreated injury.
- Wood stated that she could not afford the £400 – £500 necessary to carry out X-rays and further treatment.
- RSPCA proposed to move the dog to their Greater Manchester Animal Hospital but she declined.
- Wood received an 18 month custodial sentence suspended for 12 months at Tameside Magistrates’ Court on July 31st.
- Wood was also ordered to attend a 10 day Rehabilitation Activity Requirement, a nine month drug rehabilitation course, and an animal owning ban of five years.
- On September 30th, 2024 at Manchester Crown Court, a judge dismissed her application against a ban and deprivation order on another dog.
Rochdale (Manchester Mirror) October 10, 2026 — A Milnrow woman has lost her court appeal against a five-year ban on keeping animals after her Bichon Frise was put down because of an untreated broken leg.
As reported by the Manchester Evening News, Anne Marie-Wood, of St James Street, Milnrow, pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to an animal. She was sentenced at Tameside Magistrates’ Court on July 31 and later appealed against the animal-keeping ban, but the appeal was dismissed at Manchester Crown Court on September 30.
Why did RSPCA officers visit the Milnrow home?
RSPCA inspectors went to Wood’s home in December 2024 after receiving a tip-off that her dog had an injury which had not been treated. According to the charity, Wood was initially reluctant to cooperate but eventually allowed an officer inside.
The RSPCA said officers found Tilly, a Bichon Frise, visibly lame and hesitant to put weight on one of her front legs. When questioned, Wood told officers that the injury happened after the dog fell while being passed through a front window.
What treatment did Tilly receive?
Wood said she had taken Tilly to a vet and that the dog had been given pain relief. She said she could not afford the £400 to £500 needed for X-rays and further treatment.
The RSPCA said it offered to take Tilly to its Greater Manchester Animal Hospital for examination, but Wood refused to hand the dog over. When Tilly was eventually seen by a vet, the animal was unable to put weight on her right front leg.
The charity said vets concluded that treatment, including possible amputation, could not restore an acceptable quality of life because of Tilly’s other orthopaedic conditions. The decision was therefore made to put her to sleep to prevent further suffering.
What did the RSPCA inspector say?
RSPCA Deputy Chief Inspector Jess Pierce said Tilly was clearly struggling with mobility and showed signs of pain when conscious. As reported by the Manchester Evening News, Pierce said: “In my professional opinion the dog was suffering due to the owner’s failure to provide veterinary care and pain relief as minimum.”
Pierce said Wood brought Tilly for a consultation two days after the elbow fracture occurred. She said the dog endured acute pain from a broken bone for two days, before receiving a one-off anti-inflammatory injection that provided relief for about 24 hours.
“No further treatment was provided for over a month,” Pierce said, according to the Manchester Evening News. She added that injuries of this kind need monitoring and that owners must provide pain relief and regular veterinary checks to maintain an animal’s comfort.
Pierce also said that, during both private veterinary visits, Wood was advised to return for a re-check or further investigations, but that this was not done.
What sentence did Anne Marie-Wood receive?
Wood pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to an animal. At Tameside Magistrates’ Court on July 31, she was given an 18-month prison sentence, suspended for one year.
She was also ordered to complete a 10-day Rehabilitation Activity Requirement and a nine-month drug rehabilitation programme. In addition, she was banned from keeping animals for five years.
What happened at the appeal hearing?
Wood challenged the five-year ban at Manchester Crown Court on September 30. The Manchester Evening News reported that a judge rejected the appeal.
The judge also refused Wood’s attempt to overturn a deprivation order relating to another dog. That dog was not subject to any charges in the case.
Background of the development
The case began after the RSPCA received information in December 2024 concerning a dog with an untreated injury at a property in Milnrow. The charity’s investigation focused on Tilly, whose fractured leg had not received the ongoing veterinary care the RSPCA said was required.
The case resulted in a guilty plea to causing unnecessary suffering, a suspended prison sentence, rehabilitation requirements and a five-year disqualification from keeping animals. Wood’s subsequent attempt to overturn the ban and a deprivation order concerning another dog was rejected by a judge at Manchester Crown Court.
Prediction: how this may affect pet owners
The outcome is likely to reinforce the importance of seeking prompt veterinary treatment when a pet shows signs of injury or pain. For pet owners in Rochdale and across Greater Manchester, the case highlights that concerns about cost do not remove an owner’s legal responsibility to obtain appropriate care or seek help from animal welfare organisations.
The rejected appeal may also encourage people who suspect animal neglect to report concerns to the RSPCA or other relevant authorities. For local animal welfare services, the case could lead to greater awareness of the need for early intervention, particularly where owners delay treatment or decline offers of assistance.
