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Animal hoarders

Animal Abandonment, Equine Abuse, Hoarders, horses and ponies, Lifers, Worst of the Worst

Sowerby Bridge, West Yorkshire: Dianne Pearson

May 2, 2024 misanthropic 1 Comment

CONVICTED (2024) | Dianne Pearson, born c. 1953, from Sowerby Bridge – for cruelty offences to 10 horses, many of whom were put to sleep.

RSPCA prosecution of Dianne Pearson from Sowerby Bridge, West Yorkshire, for cruelty to 10 horses in her care.

Concerns about Pearson’s horses were raised with the RSPCA and World Horse Welfare in April 2023, and officers went to the scene in the village of Norland, Sowerby Bridge. There they discovered 10 horses and ponies kept in cramped, dirty stables and building. Faeces and soiled bedding had built up to the extent that the horses were struggling to stand.

Some of the horses had difficulty walking due to lameness while many were suffering from dental issues and other health problems. One horse was so thirsty he drank readily from a bucket of water when offered to him.

In her witness statement, RSPCA inspector Demi Hodby said all the horses were being kept in unsuitable conditions.

“There was no ventilation and very limited lighting inside,” she said. “All the stables were piled high with bedding and faeces and it was clear they had not been mucked out in some time. The bedding inside all the stables was piled so high that most of the horses’ heads were touching the roof. There was no water inside any of the stables.”

She added: “During our visit, Pearson admitted that Bud had not been out of his stable for two years and it took her over 10 minutes to dig the muck from behind Ellie’s stable door before she could open it and get her out. It also took her some time to dig out another horse called Rio.”

Rescuers had to dig their way into some of their stables owing to the build-up of soiled bedding and faeces.

Four horses were removed that day and six the next; all were examined by an equine vet, whose witness statement said: “In my opinion the environmental conditions these horses were found in were completely and wholly unsuitable.

“Many of the stables were in complete or mostly in darkness and most had little ventilation.This meant that when some of the horses reached the boarding establishment, they found normal visual things extremely stressful, and one horse had to be medicated for this. This shows the psychological suffering caused to these horses.

“The owner failed to take steps to meet the needs of these animals, and this has caused suffering in all of the horses due to the poor and unsuitable environments, and five out of 10 of these horses due to ailments observed.”

Pearson signed six horses over to the care of the RSPCA. After the case a deprivation order was secured so the remaining four came into the charity’s care.

After the case, Ms Hodby said: “I am so pleased to see Fern, Cody, Inca and JJ are thriving with our team at RSPCA Felledge, and delighted to hear that Tilly and Finn have already found their forever homes.

“This was a really sad case to work on and to see ponies kept in such awful conditions was heartbreaking. I’d like to say thank you to our colleagues at World Horse Welfare for their assistance in the rescue and investigating. Working together with other agencies allows us to reach more horses and ponies that need our help and make a big difference to animal welfare.”

Vets made the decision to put Bling, Bud, Ellie and Rio down for health reasons.

World Horse Welfare field officer Gilly Howard said: “Having been shut in those small and dirty stables for so long, Tilly was a very nervous pony and especially difficult to catch. But our amazing team at Penny Farm Rescue and Rehoming Centre in Lancashire are working with her to gain her trust and the conclusion of this case means that she can be assessed with a view to finding her a forever home.”

Pearson’s age and her early guilty pleas were considered in mitigation, and it was agreed that although she “feels no particular remorse for the suffering occasioned to her horses”, she “does feel a sense of sadness and believes she always tried her best”.

“The defendant has come to accept that she doesn’t want any of the horses returned to her. She has no desire to keep horses in the future.”

Sentencing | 20-week suspended prison sentence for each of the four offences, to run concurrently, suspended for 12 months; 20 days of rehabilitation activity; £7,000 costs. Disqualified from owning horses, ponies, mules, donkeys and their hybrids indefinitely, with no right of appeal for 15 years.

Horse & Hound

Dogs, Hoarders

Walsall, West Midlands: Kassie Benton

April 30, 2024 misanthropic Leave a comment

CONVICTED (2023) | Kasandra Benton, born September 1986, of Talke Road, Walsall WS5 4PH – neglected her injured and ailing dogs’ needs.

RSPCA prosecution of Walsall woman Kassie Benton who failed to treat her dogs' injuries

Pet collector Benton left two of her dogs to suffer without seeking vet treatment. They were an Akita named Delta, who was found with injuries from fighting another dog, and a chihuahua called Eddie, who had a huge ulcerated mass on his groin and had to be put to sleep.

The dogs were rescued from Benton’s home after concerns for their welfare were raised with the RSPCA.

RSPCA Animal Rescue Officer, Graeme Brookes, described what he saw when he entered Benton’s home.

He said: “As I walked in, the smell was strong. I saw multiple fresh stains of faeces in the living room. There was lots of domestic rubbish on the floor.

“Eddie had a very large growth on the side of his body that due to his size impacted his walk, on top of the growth was a large open wound.

“I asked to see Delta, who was kept locked in the kitchen. There was a large amount of faeces and urine in the kitchen. I asked why Delta was in the kitchen, and was told she’d been kept in there since the fight.

“Delta was friendly, however, I could see she couldn’t place her paw on the floor, hobbling significantly also her hair was matted on the back. I then noticed puncture marks on both her legs and the one she couldn’t put down was significantly swollen.”

Both dogs were taken to a vet who examined them and concluded both were suffering.

In his report, he said: “The owner was aware that Eddie had a swelling on his side and that it ulcerated a couple of months earlier. This mass was painful due to the damage to the skin over the mass. The lack of treatment and the inaction that in my opinion has led to unnecessary suffering.

“With Delta, once this fight had occurred a reasonable owner would immediately seek veterinary care especially with the number of injuries she sustained.

“She may have been walking initially but as the inflammation and infection worsened the swelling would have become more obvious and she would have become more lame and more painful.

“Many of the puncture wounds are often like the tip of the iceberg for dog bite injuries as the grip of the dog is maintained and the tear and rip the muscle and tissues below.”

Eddie had to be put to sleep because of the severity of his condition.
Delta was placed in RSPCA care and can now be rehomed after the court granted a deprivation order.

RSPCA Animal Rescue Officer, Graeme Brookes added: “Our plea to all animal owners is to make sure they always receive care and treatment when they need it.

“Pets are completely reliant on their owners to ensure their needs are met and they are kept safe and healthy. Ensuring appropriate veterinary care is a key part of the responsibility we have towards them.”

Sentencing | 26-week suspended prison sentence; 15 hours of “rehabilitation”; £600 in costs plus a £187 surcharge. 20-year ban on keeping dogs.

BirminghamLive
Express & Star
ITV News

Animal Sanctuaries from Hell, Equine Abuse, Hoarders, horses and ponies, Lifers, Multiple Species, Worst of the Worst

Hyde, Greater Manchester: Lynn and Charlotte Haydon-Williams

April 15, 2024 misanthropic Leave a comment

CONVICTED (2024) | Lynn Haydon-Williams, born 6 April 1960, of Redgate, Hyde SK14 5DE, and Charlotte Haydon-Williams, born 17 November 1988, of Cheetham Fold Road, Hyde SK14 5DF – for the neglect of multiple animals in the care of their sanctuary.

RSPCA prosecution of Lynn Haydon-Williams and daughter Charlotte Haydon-Williams from Hyde, Greater Manchester in relation to Haywill Animal Rescue.

Mother and daughter Lynn and Charlotte Haydon-Williams were found guilty of a number of offences following a trial on Thursday, March 28, 2024.

The court heard how neglected horses, including one suffering with multiple tumours, lame goats, pigs with hoof problems and an arthritic coatimundi were found at the Haywill Animal Centre by the RSPCA.

During 2020 and 2021, the RSPCA identified animal welfare concerns at sites in Glossop, Derbyshire and Broadbottom in Manchester.

The RSPCA had visited the rescue on previous occasions during which they had offered support and advice to the founder/owner Lynn Haydon-Williams.

In a statement read to the court RSPCA inspector Jessica Araujo said she recalled attending the centre on May 11, 2021, when she saw “goats with overgrown feet that were struggling to walk normally, grossly obese pigs, a coati that appeared to have small masses on its underside and a horse with overgrown feet”.

Inspector Araujo continued: “I saw a number of large goats with overgrown hooves that appeared to have difficulty walking normally or walking at all. There was also a black pygmy goat who looked quite thin and you could feel his spine and hips when you put your hands on him.”

Among the animals taken into the care of the RSPCA was Gemma, a grey bay mare, who was covered in skin tumours. A vet later decided that the kindest course of action was to put her to sleep to end her suffering.

Another horse, called Casper, who was suffering from laminitis was also, sadly, put to sleep, as was a pot-bellied pig, who was suffering from overgrown feet.

An emaciated pygmy goat and the coatimundi, who was in poor health, passed away later.

Several of the horses required treatment for foot and hoof ailments.

In mitigation for Lynn Haydon-Williams, the court was told she previously did “a lot of good work for many people for a long time”. It was said that Covid impacted the rescue’s finances and lessened her ability to look after the animals. It was said that she had not deliberately mistreated the animals.

The court heard that Charlotte Haydon-Williams suffered from health problems which affected her care of the horse. The court accepted she was not responsible for the care of the other animals.

Lynn Haydon-Williams initially pleaded not guilty to 15 charges, but she was convicted of 13 offences after a trial.

Charlotte Haydon-Williams pleaded not guilty to the same 15 charges and was convicted of three offences relating to the care of a horse. It was ruled she had no case to answer on the remaining 12 charges.

The surviving animals – a horse and 10 goats – will be rehomed by the RSPCA.

Speaking after the sentencing, Inspector Araujo said: “This owner was given ample time and opportunity to get the help she needed to give these animals the veterinary care and treatment they needed. Sadly, she did not take action and the animals suffered for longer than they had to.”

Sentencing |
Lynn Haydon-Williams: six-month custodial suspended for 18 months; 240 hours of unpaid work; £240 costs and £156 victim surcharge. She was given a lifetime disqualification from keeping animals except for dogs and cats.

Charlotte Haydon-Williams: 12-month community order; fined £1,500 and ordered to pay £1,000 costs and £114 victim surcharge. Banned from keeping horses for three years (expires March 2027).

DerbyshireLive
Manchester Evening News
Quest Media Network

Cats, Hoarders, Worst of the Worst

Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham: Marissa Faultless

April 14, 2024 misanthropic 1 Comment

CONVICTED (2024) | pet hoarder Marissa Faultless, born c. 1957, of Tower Road, Sutton Coldfield B75 5EA – kept dozens of poorly cats in disgusting conditions.

RSPCA prosecution of cat hoarder Marissa Faultless from Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham — The court heard that pet hoarder Marissa Faultless was not ‘deliberately cruel’ and her behaviour was due to a mental health disorder

Nearly 100 cats had to be removed from Marissa Faultless’s chaotic home, which was described in court as smelling like death. One kitten was found dead while others had to be euthanised. Some had to have eyes removed due to cat flu.

On three occasions RSPCA inspectors were forced to raid the property where every area of the garden contained piles of fence-high rubbish while inside reeked of urine and faces.

Faultless refused to accept anything was wrong with the cats and denied they needed veterinary treatment.

Ultimately she admitted six animal welfare offences, albeit she made a last-ditch, thankfully unsuccessful, bid to reverse the pleas in a ploy to keep her cats.

RSPCA prosecutor Sara Pratt told the court there had been a ‘long history’ to the case. She said that police and Birmingham City Council had tried to work with Faultless following initial complaints and in April 2021 she was provided with copies of the Animal Welfare Act as well as a code of practice for looking after cats.

But Ms Pratt added that ‘nothing changed’ and a warrant had to be executed on September 2, 2021, which resulted in the removal of 34 cats and kittens. A further 24 were spotted outside but officers could not catch them and did not have the legal power to seize them.

Ms Pratt said: “Outside of the house there was piled high rubbish in the garden as high as the fence. Inside the property there were a large number of cats and kittens. There was an overpowering smell of urine and a build-up of faeces in the living room. There were no suitable litter trays. The house was in a cluttered state.”

A lot of the cats were suffering from cat flu as well as fleas.

Faultless refused to formally sign any of them over to the RSPCA. She was interviewed and accepted ownership of them but denied there were signs of flu or ringworm.

She also blamed Covid for failing to seek flea treatment but insisted the cats did not need to see a vet. She claimed she had not noticed the smell but admitted she struggled with how many pets she had, said Ms Pratt.

There were further visits to her home in June and July 2022 following more complaints which culminated in a second warrant executed in August.

Ms Pratt said: “The conditions at the property had deteriorated. There was an overwhelming smell of urine, faeces and what was described by others as ‘death’.”

A dead kitten was found at the home while 26 cats had to be removed. One four-week-old kiten was particularly emaciated and had to be euthanised.

A third raid took place in April 2023 when another 34 cats had to be taken away.

The court was told a small number of cats had to have eyes removed due to severe flu. At that point Faultless cried ‘no, no, no that’s not true’ as she broke down in tears in the dock. One cat died after being operated on by the vet.

Ms Pratt said: “Clearly all of the cats had suffered pain and distress. A reasonably competent and humane person would have sought veterinary attention.”

She told the court a number of cats died but the vast majority had been rehomed while some remained in boarding establishments awaiting to be adopted.

Queenie Djan, defending, said: “This is Ms Faultless’s first time offending. It is not the case she was deliberately cruel. It is directly linked to a mental disorder she is suffering from. There is a history of her owning cats before her offending with no issues. She is receiving support from other organisations.”

Sentencing | 12-month community order with 15 days of rehabilitation activity and 12 sessions of psychological intervention. Banned from keeping cats for ten years.

BirminghamLive
Daily Mail

Dogs, Hoarders, Pet Profiteering, puppy farmers / traffickers, kennels, backyard breeders

Hamilton, Leicester: Sean Palmer

March 26, 2024 misanthropic 2 Comments

CONVICTED (2024) | Sean R Palmer, born 19 September 1987, of Langtoft Road, Hamilton, Leicester LE5 1FU – found with 18 poorly dehydrated dogs inside his van after being stopped by police; breached a previous ban.

Other dogs discovered in cramped conditions in Palmer’s vehicle were severely underweight and had untreated wounds, with one later dying.

Palmer, who has links to Syston and Loughborough, was driving the white van when he was stopped by officers from the Leicestershire and Rutland Rural Policing Team on the A47 in Leicestershire last February during a routine procedure.

Inside the van, officers discovered 10 bulldogs and eight puppies all with a variety of welfare issues inside cages.

Three were even found wearing shock collars, while a number were underweight and dehydrated.

Untreated wounds were also found on a number of the dogs, with one dying of malnutrition before he could reach vets.

A subsequent investigation by police and the RSPCA revealed that Palmer had been handed a a three-year disqualification order on keeping dogs by Lincoln Magistrates in February 2022. .

Despite the order, Palmer admitted to owning all of the dogs, but claimed he was dealing with “personal issues” at the time. He told investigators he was also sleeping in the same van alongside the dogs.

Following an RSPCA prosecution, Palmer pleaded guilty to four animal welfare offences including “causing unnecessary suffering” and “failing to provide veterinary treatment” for the dogs’ injuries.

He was given a suspended prison sentence and woeful seven-year ban on keeping dogs.

Speaking after sentencing, RSPCA Inspector Richard Durrant said: “The conditions inside the van were shocking – to have such a large number in such cramped conditions.

“A vet deemed many of the dogs including the pups were suffering. We are so very grateful to the Leicestershire and Rutland Rural Policing Team for all their support in what was a very upsetting case.”

Sentencing | 15-month jail term suspended for two years; 25 rehabilitation activity days; 100 hours of unpaid work; £250 court costs. Banned from keeping dogs for seven years (expires March 2031).

Harborough FM
LeicestershireLive

Cats, Hoarders

Burbage, Leicestershire: Teresa Hawtin

March 7, 2024 misanthropic 1 Comment

CONVICTED (2024) | cat hoarder Teresa Hawtin, born c. 1975, of Duport Road, Burbage, Hinckley LE10 – kept 58 felines in a faeces- and urine-covered flat.

RSPCA prosecution of cat hoarder Teresa Hawtin, from Burbage, Hinckle, Leicestershire. Image: RSPCA.

Two of the 58 cats found at Hawtin’s flat were were dead when the RSPCA entered the property. A third cat was put to sleep after being transferred into the charity’s care.

Hawtin claimed to be a “caring cat lover” who had previously run a cat rescue service.

However, in the preceding six months or so, the number of cats she was looking after had “increased dramatically” due to people asking her to “take in stray cats and cats that had been abandoned”.

RSPCA Inspector Helen Smith said Hawtin’s flat in Shilton Road, in Barwell, Leicester, was “one of the worst properties” she had attended in her 25 years as an inspector. She added the smell of urine and faeces was “overpowering”, with excrement covering “every surface” in the flat except for a small sofa.

Litter trays were overflowing, she said, and there were pools of diarrhoea on the floor. There were also “hundred of flies alive and dead”, the RSPCA said.

All of the remaining cats have since been re-homed, the charity added.

Ms Smith said: “The environment was completely unsuitable, and the smell from the ammonia was overpowering.

“The defendant also claimed she had run a cat rescue, but the conditions these cats were kept in were completely inappropriate for such a large number of cats.

“The RSPCA had tried to help the defendant on a large number of occasions – but she chose to ignore any offers of support.”

Hawtin was well known in her local area for collecting cats

Hawtin pleaded guilty to failing to ensure the needs of the majority of the cats were met, and failing to ensure they had a suitable, hygienic and safe environment. She was found not guilty of causing unnecessary suffering and of not providing timely and appropriate veterinary treatment for eight of them.

She told the court she had tried her best and felt those eight cats did not need veterinary treatment at the point at which she was looking after them, prior to the RSPCA attending. She added that she realised there were too many to look after and that was the reason she signed them over to the care of the RSPCA.

Sentencing | ordered to pay £100 in costs, a fine of £230 and a victim surcharge of £92. Banned from keeping cats for just two years (expires March 2026).

LeicestershireLive

Animal Abandonment, Animal Sanctuaries from Hell, Dogs, Hoarders, Worst of the Worst

Highbridge, Somerset: Judy Doolan

March 2, 2024 misanthropic 3 Comments

CONVICTED (2024) | dog collector Judy Patricia Doolan, born 10 May 1959, of 12 East Ride, Brent Knoll, HighbridgeTA9 4EA – kept 16 badly neglected Romanian rescue dogs in an unattended property.

RSPCA prosecution of animal hoarder Judy Doolan from Highbridge, Somerset. Photo: Judy Doolan / Facebook

The 16 Romanian rescue dogs had reportedly been left unattended at Doolan’s home for several days while she lived elsewhere on a caravan site. Some were emaciated and had rotten teeth, dirty smelly coats, and overgrown nails.

RSPCA prosecution of animal hoarder Judy Doolan from Highbridge, Somerset. Image: RSPCA.

Several were found to be extremely fear-aggressive and unsafe to handle through their lack of socialisation. Nine dogs had to be put down due to their poor state of health.

The court heard how in March 2023 RSPCA inspector Hayley Lawrence attended at Doolan’s home to investigate a report of concern about animals at the property. On looking through the letter box she could see that the property was very dirty inside with large amounts of faeces covering the floor area which she said “looked and smelled horrendous”.

Inspector Lawrence had concerns for Doolan’s wellbeing as well as for the dogs so she called her colleagues, police and a vet to attend. Dogs could be seen at the window but no food or water could be seen.

Police located Doolan at the caravan site and returned to the address where she brought the dogs out individually to the front door for them to be checked and recorded.

On examination, many of the dogs were found to have severe matting – the matts on one dog were found to weigh 2.15kg.

The vet describes observing that two rooms of the house had a large build up of faecal matter with the windows heavily soiled in faeces. Some of the dogs also had faecal soiling on their feet and coats.

In mitigation, it was said Ms Doolan had rescued dogs from Romania and had got out of her depth and had struggled with personal difficulties throughout her life.

Doolan plead guilty to two animal welfare offences. She had appealed against her sentence, which was originally imposed in October 2023.

The surviving dogs have been cared for by RSPCA and are thriving.

Speaking after the appeal hearing Inspector Lawrence said: “Our plea to all animal owners is to make sure they always receive care and treatment they need when they need it.

“Animals are completely reliant on their owners to ensure their needs are met and they are kept safe and healthy. Owning an animal is a privilege – and ensuring appropriate care is a key part of the responsibility we have towards them.”

Sentencing | fined £600. Ten-year ban on keeping dogs but may appeal after seven years.

Somerset County Gazette
Burnham-on-Sea.com|
BristolLive

Dogs, Hoarders, Pet Profiteering, puppy farmers / traffickers, kennels, backyard breeders

Camrose, Pembrokeshire: Alison Silk

February 27, 2024 misanthropic Leave a comment

CONVICTED (2024) | Alison Denise Silk, born 20 December 1956, of The Rath, Camrose, Haverfordwest SA62 6JP – kept 30 ailing poodles in appalling conditions

RSPCA prosecution of Alison Silk a breeder trading as Silkmountain Poodles based in Pembrokeshire, Wales. — Breeder Alison Silk kept 30 severely matted poodles in cages surrounded by dog faeces

Alison Silk, a breeder trading under the name Silkmountain Poodles, kept 30 poodles in “disgusting and filthy” conditions on her farm near Haverfordwest.

The court was told that RSPCA officer Keith Hogben and a Pembrokeshire County Council dog warden visited Rath Farm on September 4, 2023..

A statement provided to the court from Inspector Hogben said that as he entered the front door, he could smell “a very unpleasant smell of dog faeces and urine”.

Inspector Hogben added: “The door to the kitchen was closed and as the door was opened a large number of dogs greeted us. The dogs were all barking and each of the dogs were heavily matted.”

He was next shown into a conservatory and he described the scene: “The room was very hot with dogs in cages and large amounts of faeces both fresh and trodden into the floor. Any bedding in the dog cages was soiled and there was no water in this room for any of the dogs.

“Again, the dogs in this room had heavily matted coats which were contaminated with faeces. I did not see any windows open. We were then shown to the dogs at the rear of the property that were kept in two runs. The back garden was covered with dog faeces of various ages and had obviously not been cleaned for many weeks/months, by the door to the conservatory was a wheelbarrow with dog faeces in it.”

There were eight dogs, all with heavily matted coats with no water in the first kennel and there were two rabbit-type feeding bottles on the bars of the run which were both empty.

Inspector Hogben said: “Inside the kennel was a large amount of faeces and hardly any bedding in the sleeping area, just a couple of plastic dog beds. In the other dog kennel were five male dogs all with matted coats and again no access to water, this kennel also had two rabbit-type water bottles on the bars but both were empty.

“There was a large build up of faeces in this kennel which had not been cleaned out for a very long time. The door to the kennel could not be opened fully due to the build up of faeces. These dogs were then let out by Alison Silk and they started to drink from a bucket containing green coloured water.”

A vet who attended confirmed that all the dogs would need to be removed due to their body conditions and their environment. A witness statement was also provided to the court by a vet who examined the 30 dogs at RSPCA Merthyr Tydfil Veterinary Clinic, between September 5 and 7, 2023.

She said: “The dogs all had severe matting over the majority of their bodies with faeces and urine within the matts and a very strong smell of faeces and urine, with the exception of one who showed signs of being recently groomed but still had heavy matting on one leg (with faeces in), his tail (with faeces in), and the tip of his prepuce (with urine in).

“Another dog had some small clip patches indicating a partial attempt at grooming but was still heavily matted including one ear being matted to the side of his head. Many of the dogs had large matts under their chins soaked in water, as they were unable to drink without dipping the matts in water. Seven of the dogs had live fleas seen when examined. All dogs apart from one were underweight.”

Many of the dogs were in need of medical procedures, the court heard.

The vet added: “Twelve had severe dental disease and were likely in need of teeth extractions. Seven others had at least moderate dental disease and would benefit from having their teeth cleaned and assessed under a general anaesthetic. Seventeen had signs of ocular disease.

“Many had matts hanging over their eyes and a few had matts formed between hair on their upper and lower eyelids on at least one eye, partially holding their eyes shut. The most likely cause of the eye issues seemed likely to me to be local irritation from the matts or the level of faeces and urine in the environment, but I cannot rule out an infectious cause.”

It was heard that all dogs had flea treatment applied and were wormed and vaccinations were also given.

The vet added: “Where possible, fur was clipped to allow better movement and comfort, as the level of matting in almost all of these dogs was severe enough that it was limiting joint movement and the heaviness of the matts would be pulling on the skin and causing discomfort.”

Further grooming was then carried out at animal centres and boarding establishments.

Five young male and one female poodles went to Greenacres Animal Rescue for rehoming, with the others were taken into the care of RSPCA centres and RSPCA branches for rehoming.

Sadly, one dog was put to sleep on welfare grounds.

The final seven dogs who, following the hearing, had been signed over to the RSPCA, will now be rehomed.

Video footage and photographs were shown to District Judge Mark Layton which displayed the filthy conditions inside the property. The RSPCA officer could be heard saying, ‘This is pretty disgusting.”

Silk pleaded guilty to three charges of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal and an additional charge of not taking steps to ensure the needs of her 30 poodles were met.

Silk, who represented herself, told the court she was sorry and spoke about her family circumstances and health issues in mitigation

Sentencing | 26 weeks in custody suspended for 12 months; 10 days of rehabilitation activity; £10,300 costs and £134 court surcharge. Disqualified from keeping, dealing and transporting animals for ten years.

Wales Online
Daily Mail
Pembrokeshire Herald

Cats, Dogs, Hoarders, Multiple Species

Eynsham, West Oxfordshire: Anita Cross

January 29, 2024 misanthropic 1 Comment

CONVICTED (2024) | pet hoarder Anita J Cross, born 1958, of Tilgarsley Road, Eynsham, Witney, OX29 4PP – ordered to give up seven dogs, 14 cats and two kittens under animal welfare legislation.

Animal hoarder Anita Cross from Eynsham, Witney, Oxfordshire. Image: Facebook

Cross appeared at Oxford Magistrates Court on January 15, 2024, after an application was made under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 to remove several animals from her.

The application was made under section 18(15) which authorises an inspector or constable to take a protected animal into possession where a veterinary surgeon certifies that it is suffering or is likely to suffer.

After the hearing, it was ordered that the animals be removed and administered treatment. There were seven dogs, 14 cats, and two kittens.

Cross was also ordered to pay West Oxfordshire District Council £1,000 for the veterinary intervention costs.

Oxford Mail

Animal Sanctuaries from Hell, Cats, Hoarders

Margam, South Wales: Martin Clowes and Gavin Cromwell

January 23, 2024 misanthropic 3 Comments

CONVICTED (2024) | Martin Clowes, born 3 April 1968, and Gavin James Cromwell, born 15 June 1981, both of Tynycellar, Water Street, Margam, Port Talbot SA13 2PD – kept 24 cats in filthy conditions at their so-called animal sanctuary.

South Wales cat hoarders Martin Clowes and Gavin Cromwell were banned from keeping animals after 11 cats in their care died in a fire — Cat hoarders Martin Clowes and Gavin Cromwell were banned from keeping animals after 11 cats in their care died in a fire

Clowes and Cromwell,, who ran rescue from hell Jemima’s Place, pleaded guilty to failing to meet the needs of the animals in their care.

Firefighters attending a fire at a property in Pyle Road, Margam contacted the RSPCA.

On her arrival RSPCA animal rescue officer (ARO) Paula Milton was told by a fire officer that they had found two cats alive inside the house. She was also told by a neighbour that the owner had opened up a rescue called Jemima’s Place which at first opened in Bridgend and then moved to the Pyle Road property.

Ms Milton said when she entered the property in March 2023 the smell of urine and faeces was “overpowering the smell of smoke”.

She continued: “In the living room there were lots and lots of black rubbish bags full of soiled cat litter. This was piled about 3ft high. The rest of the living room was covered with clutter and the floor was covered in faeces. There were a few deceased cats in the living room on the floor.”

She also said there was a room next to the living room where there were again loads of black rubbish bags full of soiled cat litter. This filled most of the room and was piled about 6ft high.

“I went to go up the stairs and the stairs were covered in cat faeces, at the top of the stairs there were two dead cats in the upstairs hall,” she said.

“Also in the hall there were more black rubbish bags full of soiled cat litter, there was faeces and rubbish all over the floor.”

Once the fire service had finished upstairs ARO Milton was able to try and catch the cats. She was told that the house was safe apart from the bedroom that had a hole in the floor from the fire.

She then met Clowes who said he was the owner and he helped her catch the live cats.

“I went to go up the stairs and the stairs were covered in cat faeces. At the top of the stairs there were two dead cats in the upstairs hall,” she said.

“Also in the hall there were more black rubbish bags full of soiled cat litter. There was faeces and rubbish all over the floor.”

In the bathroom she found three live cats. She said the bathroom floor “was completely covered in cat faeces”.

The three cats – Cheeko, a black seven-year-old cat, Ady, a seven-year-old white and black cat, and Lewis, a tabby and white four-year-old – were caught and placed into her van.

There were also two cats that were taken to a vets in Bridgend by someone on the morning of the fire. Clowes also agreed to sign these cats over into RSPCA care.

ARO Milton went back into the house to see if there were any more cats and she found further rubbish. She said: “In the hall upstairs leading to the bedrooms there was a pile of black rubbish bags full of soiled cat litter that was about 2ft high. I couldn’t get into the smaller bedroom. This room was full of rubbish and faeces.

“In the main bedroom where the fire was in the left-hand corner again [there were] more rubbish bags with soiled cat litter. There were a few bags on the right-hand side and also at the back of the room the left side of the bed was more black bags with soiled litter. This was about 2ft high also.”

She and Clowes started collecting the bodies of the cats who had died in the fire and in total 11 cats were found. A

ARO Milton said she was told that Clowes did not live at the house but he visited three to four times a day to feed the cats.

The following day RSPCA deputy chief inspector (DCI) Gemma Cooper met Clowes where he showed her four more cats that had been in the house fire. These four cats along with the two that had been taken to a vets in Bridgend were then transferred to RSPCA Merthyr Tydfil Veterinary Clinic.

In her written statement provided to the court DCI Cooper said the environment in which 24 cats were living was “not safe, clean, or hygienic”.

There was an electric heater which had been left on inside the house while it was unoccupied which was described as an “obvious hazard”. No litter trays were provided and the cats were toileting all over the floor of the property and there was no substrate provided for them to cover it up. DCI Cooper said there was no mental or physical stimulation inside the property for the cats and there was not enough space for the cats to have their own space if needed inside the two-bedroomed cottage.

The court also heard that another animal charity which is no longer running removed around 30 cats in poor health from Jemima’s Place in 2021 when Clowes and Cromwell admitted they could not cope. The 13 cats involved in this case were signed over to the RSPCA and have been rehomed.

The court heard the two men had good intentions but lost control, and now have regret and remorse.

The 13 surviving cats have since been rehomed.

Sentencing | 12 week custodial, suspended for 12 months; £300 costs and £54 victim surcharge each. Banned from keeping all animals for 10 years (expires January 2034).

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