A woman from Lambeth has been disqualified from owning animals for 20 years after she admitted neglecting her German Shepherd dog.

Merleen Gocan (DOB: 03/09/1967) of Adare Walk, London was sentenced at Wimbledon Magistrates Court on 23 July, in a case brought by the RSPCA.

Goan was disqualified from owning all animals for 20 years, and fined £1,178 plus a surcharge of £478.

On 14 May 2025, the RSPCA attended a veterinary practice in the Victoria area of London, regarding the four year-old German Shepherd named Rain, that had been brought into the practice the night before. Staff reported the dog was severely underweight, dehydrated, and unable to stand or walk. She had a body condition score of just one out of nine.

The vets were told by Rain’s owner, Gocan, that the dog had lost weight over nine months after weaning a litter of puppies, but they had opted to seek feeding advice from pet shop staff rather than veterinary care, due to cost concerns.

In his witness statement, Animal Rescue Officer (ARO) Lewis Ledlie described the condition of the dog when he was shown her by veterinary staff.

“She appeared very underweight, with her ribs, hips, and spine all immediately visible, and did not appear to be able to stand, and could only move her eyes, and head slightly,” ARO Ledlie said.

The court heard that Gocan had stated to the vets the evening she took her to the clinic that Rain had been unable to walk for the previous two weeks.

Rain weighed just 13.5kg (29.8lb), but blood and urine tests, x-rays and ultrasound scans revealed no obvious medical cause of her weight loss. The vets certified that Rain was suffering and officers from the Met Police were contacted, who placed her into the care of the RSPCA.

The court heard that by 13 June, under the care of vets and with a careful refeeding plan, Rain’s weight increased to 17.2kg (37.9lb) and she started sitting up and standing of her own accord and was able to walk with help. Rain was released to the RSPCA on 31 May 2025, for ongoing care, where she was looked after by the team at RSPCA Millbrook in Surrey.

After sentencing, RSPCA Inspector Jade Guthrie said: “Rain really was in a bad way the day we were contacted about her.

“Had her owners taken her to the vet weeks earlier, at the first sign of her losing weight, she wouldn’t have needlessly been in such a bad way. It’s hard to imagine seeing your beloved dog in such a poor condition, and delaying taking action to help them.”

In mitigation, the court was told that Gocan this was not intentional harm, and that she had increased her hours at work and had entrusted a family member to care for the dog. It was added that Gocan admitted she ought to have gone to the vet, but did not do ‘nothing.’