A woman from Kidbrooke, south London has been banned from owning all animals after allowing her two-year-old Siberian Husky, Simba, to starve and suffer from an untreated leg wound to the point he was in shock and close to death.
Jane Francis (DOB: 22.01.1973), of Wricklemarsh Road, sent pictures of a bite wound on her dog’s leg to a local vet practice on 19 December last year, and was urged to bring him in immediately as he was in a collapsed state.
When Simba arrived later that day, he was in a comatose state and in deep shock. He weighed just 12.1kg (26.7lb), had no muscle mass, and was severely emaciated with a body condition score of one out of five – the lowest possible. He had a large, deep wound on his hind leg, exposing bone, and his fur was yellow, wet, and muddy.
A veterinary report stated: “He had extensive wounds that exposed his bone, and these would have been excruciatingly painful. Francis had reportedly noticed these wounds a week prior but had not sought any veterinary treatment or pain relief. The extent of the wound suggests it had been developing for at least a week, and the pain would have been unimaginable.”
As Simba began to gasp for air and pass liquid faeces – signs of imminent death – the decision was made to euthanise him to prevent further suffering. The vet noted it was difficult to find a vein due to his extreme dehydration and concluded that Simba had been suffering for several weeks, far longer than Francis had claimed.
The RSPCA launched an investigation led by Inspector Jade Guthrie, and Francis was prosecuted.
On 12 September 2025, at Bromley Magistrates’ Court, Francis was sentenced to 26 weeks in custody, suspended for 18 months. She was ordered to undertake 18 months of mental health treatment, including 10 – 12 sessions of psychological therapy, and 10 days of Rehabilitation Activity Requirement. She was disqualified from keeping animals for 10 years, ordered to pay £2,000 in costs, and a victim surcharge of £154.
In sentencing, the bench described it as “one of the worst cases of unnecessary animal suffering” they had ever seen.
In mitigation, Francis’s legal representative cited ongoing mental health concerns and her responsibilities as a carer for her daughter.
After sentencing, Inspector Guthrie said: “This case involved failure to meet Simba’s basic needs over a prolonged period of time. His suffering was significant and entirely preventable. It serves as a clear reminder of the responsibilities involved in caring for animals.”
