A woman who fatally stabbed her pet dog after saying the animal had worsened her post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been spared a prison sentence.
Victoria Lodge said she was unable to cope with Celine, a Macedonian sheepdog she had adopted.
Within three months of bringing the dog home, Lodge had described Celine on social media as “stupid” and “demon spawn”, while saying she wanted the animal gone.
The 33-year-old later contacted a charity helpline, threatening to harm either herself or the dog. Paramedics were sent to her home as a result.
Lodge told emergency workers that she had PTSD and bipolar disorder, claiming Celine’s behaviour had triggered both conditions. A paramedic offered to contact the RSPCA for her.
However, when the paramedic called the following day to provide an update, Lodge was described as “hysterical and screaming” before admitting she had stabbed the dog.
Lodge, of Bournemouth, Dorset, then announced on social media that Celine had died. She also contacted the rehoming centre that had agreed to take the dog, telling staff their help was no longer required.
She admitted causing unnecessary suffering to an animal but avoided custody at Bournemouth Crown Court. The judge instead imposed an indefinite ban preventing her from keeping animals.
Victoria Lodge failed to seek any help for her dog, Celine, after the attack – who had been stabbed in the abdomen with a carving knife
A Macedonian sheepdog, similar to the one stabbed by Victoria Lodge
Judge Jonathan Fuller said taking on Celine had been “ill-advised” in light of Lodge’s mental health difficulties.
Elisa Allen, from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta), said the lifetime animal ban was necessary but argued that further action was needed in response to the attack.
The court was told by prosecutor Jade Philippou that Lodge adopted Celine in January 2024.
Ms Philippou said Lodge made several social media posts in which she called the dog “demon spawn”, “stupid” and “unmanageable”, and wrote that she hated Celine.
After about three months, Lodge stabbed the dog with a carving knife on April 15.
Paramedics and police who arrived at the property found the living room in disarray. A trail of blood led to Celine, who was still alive, breathing and conscious.
The dog had suffered a stab wound to the abdomen, but prosecutors said Lodge had not sought medical assistance for her after the attack.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: New Letters From the Alexander Brothers, Accused Luxury Real Estate Moguls, Revealed
“The paramedics lifted Celine into the ambulance and packed the wound with haemostatic gauze. She visibly groaned,” Ms Philippou told the court.
The paramedics asked Lodge whether she wanted to accompany them as they took Celine to a veterinary hospital. According to the court, she replied: “Get the f*** out of my house.”
Celine later died despite efforts to save her. Prosecutors said Lodge had shown a deliberate disregard for the dog’s welfare.
“She remained at the scene for several hours while suffering severely, and proper steps were not taken to obtain help,” Ms Philippou said.
She added that Lodge had spent some of that time cleaning blood from the property while Celine was still in distress.
Defence barrister Laura Deuxberry said Lodge’s social media messages should be understood as “a cry for help” and highlighted her longstanding mental health problems.
A psychiatric assessment found no evidence that Lodge was dissociating or experiencing psychosis when she attacked Celine. However, it concluded that she was probably struggling with emotional regulation and impulsive behaviour.
Ms Deuxberry said Lodge was now more stable and had a support network in place to help her move forward.
Lodge had also surrendered her two cats to the RSPCA and accepted that she should be prohibited from keeping animals.
During sentencing, Judge Fuller said the attack would ordinarily amount to an exceptionally serious act of cruelty without the context of Lodge’s mental state.
He said Lodge had taken a large carving knife and driven it through Celine’s body, perforating one of the dog’s lungs.
Vets later found bruising consistent with the knife being forced through and emerging from the other side.
The judge told Lodge that, regardless of her difficulties, she had still faced a choice between committing the offence and stepping away to seek another solution.
Lodge was given a two-year community order, including supervision by probation services.
Macedonian sheepdogs are powerful working animals originally bred in the Balkan mountains to guard sheep flocks from predators such as bears and wolves.
While the breed can be affectionate and deeply loyal, its independent nature and challenging training needs mean it is generally unsuitable for inexperienced or first-time dog owners.
