A drug-addicted mother from the UK has been sentenced to a year in prison for eating her daughter’s pet hamster.
Emma Parker, 39, cut open a live pet before eating it in horrific videos posted online. Sun reports.
Two shocking clips were sent to the RSPCA by an outraged member of the public, the Lincoln Crown Court heard.
In the first 27-second video, Parker repeatedly jabbed a large knife into a hamster ball containing Mr. Nibbles, then cut the still-alive animal in half.
The court was told that in the second video, Parker is holding a water bottle and then eating two halves of the now-dead hamster.
“Two videos posted on social media showed the defendant with a hamster in a hamster ball,” prosecutor Gordon Holt said.
“The defendant is holding the ball with the knife in his other hand.
“She takes a knife and plunges it into the hole of the ball, moving the knife from side to side.
“You can hear the audience laughing and saying, ‘You sick bastard.
“The hamster can be heard squealing repeatedly, it is allowed to run away and run for a while.
“The accused tries to stab him, at least once successfully.
“She pinches her neck to keep it still.
“He is still alive, and she cuts and saws the middle of the hamster’s body with a knife.
“In the second video, the defendant eats two halves of a dismembered body.”
During police questioning, Parker admitted that the video belonged to her and stated that she helped a hamster die after it was bitten by one of her dogs earlier that day.
Parker said the incident took place at her home in mid-May, but declined to name those who filmed the footage, telling police “they’re not good people.”
A 27-year-old veterinarian who viewed the footage described the content as deeply disturbing and said that Mr. Nibbles would suffer both physical and psychological damage as hamsters are prey animals that can feel fear.
The veterinarian added that she had never heard a hamster squeal like Mr. Nibbles in her entire career.
Parker, from Belvoir Gardens, Great Gonerby, Lincolnshire in the east of England, pleaded guilty to one charge of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal.
The court learned that Parker was subject to a public order in both 2021 and 2022 for shoplifting and had a long history of class A drug addiction.
In the UK, class A drugs include heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, cocaine and ecstasy.
Chris Bruin, softening the situation, said that Parker was targeted because of the video, her house was vandalized, and dog feces were thrown into the mailbox.
The court was told that Parker was being “cooked” by a drug dealer who lived nearby and was under supervision when she filmed the video.
Mr. Bruin said Parker was also in a recent car accident that left her with burns.
In sentencing, Judge James House KC told Parker that he must take into account that Parliament had recently raised the maximum sentence for such animal cruelty from six months to five years in prison.
Judge House said it was “disgusting” to abuse a defenseless animal for the entertainment of others.
“The hamster was hit at least twice and then cut in half while still alive,” Judge House said.
“Then you are seen holding a water bottle and then eating two halves of a cut hamster.
“What’s notable about her interview is her refusal to name who else is present and who’s filming the video.”
Judge House also banned Parker from keeping animals for 15 years after he told her he considered her cruelty “as serious as it could be.”
After the RSPCA became aware of the video, a spokesperson said: “This is an extremely upsetting video and we would like to reassure the public that we are investigating and working closely with the police. Please don’t share or comment on it as it increases the chances that other people will see it and get upset.”
Two dogs were also taken from Parker’s home.
Lincolnshire Police confirmed they arrested the woman on June 23 following an RSPCA investigation.
This article originally appeared on Sun and reproduced with permission
Originally published as Drug addict mother jailed for eating Mr Nibbles daughter’s pet hamster in disgusting video