Category Archives: Hoarders

Animal hoarders

Animal Sanctuaries from Hell, Cats, Hoarders

Margam, South Wales: Martin Clowes and Gavin Cromwell

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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.

South Wales cat hoarders Martin Clowes and Gavin Cromwell were banned from keeping animals after 11 cats in their care died in a fire
The bodies of 11 cats were recovered from a property filled with bags of rubbish and covered in faeces

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.”

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

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”.

South Wales cat hoarders Martin Clowes and Gavin Cromwell were banned from keeping animals after 11 cats in their care died in a fire
Two of the surviving cats

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

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

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).

BBC News
Wales Online
Metro

Cats, Hoarders

Crosby, Liverpool: Mandy Swash

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CONVICTED (2024) | hoarder Mandy Swash, born 3 September 1970, of Rosedale Avenue, Crosby, Liverpool L23 0UQ – kept animals in shocking squalor.

Hoarder Mandy Swash from Crosby, Liverpool Picture: Facebook

Two dead cats were discovered by RSPCA inspector Louise Showering during a visit to Mandy Swash’s previous home on Barmouth Way, Vauxhall, Liverpool, in September 2022. The charity had been called to investigate reports of dead animals and animals living in poor conditions. Showering put on a mask to go inside what was described as a “house of horrors” and said she “immediately” noticed a smell and flies everywhere.

Squalid conditions in which the RSPCA discovered two dead cats belonging to Liverpool woman Mandy Swash

Describing the conditions at the property, inspector Showering said in a witness statement: “Inside there were boxes and bags piled high making it difficult to see the floor. I had to stand on rubbish and cat litter in order to go up the stairs.

“The bathroom was in a filthy state with items covering the floor and inside the bath. The door of the back bedroom was off the hinges and resting against bags and the bed behind it.

“The window was partially obscured by piles of bags and there were many flies and fleas in the room. The landing was blocked by more items so I had to climb over these to reach the other two bedrooms.

“Inside the front larger bedroom, the bed was heavily soiled by faeces. I had to stand on rubbish just to get into the room. Inside the kitchen, I was again unable to see the floor due to the amount of rubbish.

“There was faeces and empty food packets, plastic and empty soiled bowls and litter trays. The kitchen itself was also filthy, with piles of faeces stacked up next to the sink and on the work surfaces.”

Sadly, in the living room and rear bedrooms, the RSPCA officer found the bodies of the two dead cats.

Squalid conditions in which the RSPCA discovered two dead cats belonging to Liverpool woman Mandy Swash

Ms Showering said: “In the lounge area, I saw a black bin bag over the top of one of the boxes. The letting agent informed me that he had spoken with Swash who told him that one of the dead cats was in a box in the lounge so I removed the box outside and found the body of a black domestic shorthaired cat inside.

“The cat appeared to have had a head injury and trauma to the eye area. In the rear bedroom, I saw a large number of fleas jumping on a blanket to the left of the door. I removed the blanket and discovered the body of a black domestic short-haired cat which appeared underweight and also had a flea infestation.”

It is believed the cat in the living room had suffered head injuries following a road traffic accident.

After the inspector left the home, more than 185 bites appeared over her body, which she said was the “worst case” of flea bites she had suffered in her 13 year career.

She said: “This was an incredibly sad case which resulted in the neglect and suffering of multiple cats.

“These cats were not provided with a suitable environment in which to live due to the heavily soiled litter trays, a heavy build up of cat faeces on work surfaces, floors, beds and soft furnishings and unsafe living conditions due to the hoarding of items such as plastic bags, and stacked items, causing potential trapping or injury hazards.

“There were no safe, comfortable, clean places in which the cats could rest. The environment was such that it would be more difficult to spot an injured cat easily. They were heavily infested with fleas and there was a build-up of faeces and detritus which would create a breeding ground for disease.”

Swash also had two female black and white cats who had been moved out of the property previously. The cats – Maud, two, and Mabel, seven – appeared in normal bodily condition and no further issues were raised.

Maud and Mabel have remained in Swash’s care and are well looked after, receiving regular vet checks and flea treatment.

Swash was sentenced at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, January 4, 2024, where she was proven guilty in her absence.

In mitigation, the court heard how her personal circumstances are different now in terms of mental health and therefore no disqualification order was imposed.

Sentencing | 12 month community order with 20 days of rehab; eight-week curfew mental health treatment requirement; £1,250 in costs plus £114 victim surcharge. No ban.

Liverpool Echo
National World

Birds, Dogs, Equine Abuse, Hoarders, horses and ponies, Multiple Species, Serial Animal Abusers, Worst of the Worst

Torrington, Devon: Diana Curtis

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CONVICTED (2024) | serial animal hoarder Diana Curtis, born c. 1958, of Peters Marland, Torrington EX38 8QD – neglected dozens of animals in her care.

Serial animal hoarder Diana Curtis from Torrington, Devon.

Curtis, a notorious animal hoarder well-known to the RSPCA and courts, was given a suspended custodial sentence and laughable five-year ban after horses, dogs, chickens, ducks and a goat were found in squalor at her home.

Animals abused and neglected by serial animal hoarder Diana Curtis from Torrington, Devon.

RSPCA inspectors were joined by police, vets, staff from the Dog’s Trust and officers from Torridge District Council, at the address in July 2022. They found a number of animals, some left without food, water or the vet care they needed.

A stallion, named Mid Morning Monkey, was found with an eye ulcer; checks with vets showed he’d been left with no treatment. Two other horses, named Symphonies Secret and Summer’s Place Jessica, were both found to have untreated dental disease.

Animals abused and neglected by serial animal hoarder Diana Curtis from Torrington, Devon.

Summer’s Place Jessica also had deformed legs and swollen knees. She had an uneven gait and was regularly seen tripping – particularly on her right fore leg. A vet later diagnosed chronic arthritis which had been left untreated.

The stables, which also housed a female goat alongside horses, were dirty with faeces and soiled straw. There was no clean bedding and no hay, food or water available.

Animals abused and neglected by serial animal hoarder Diana Curtis from Torrington, Devon.

Poultry, which was found standing in pens thick with faeces and soiled bedding with dirty water and no food, were also found to have untreated scaly leg. Inside the address, rescuers found more unsuitable living conditions for animals.

RSPCA deputy chief inspector Suzy Hannaby said: “The property was filthy and appeared to have been used as a dog kennel rather than for human habitation, the floors were bare and the only furniture present was for storage.

“There were no chairs or human beds. There was a strong smell of ammonia in the downstairs of the property. There were dog faeces and soiled straw and shavings on the floor, pieces of wooden board, dirty dog beds and two empty crates. There was no food or water available.”

Following an RSPCA prosecution Curtis was convicted of eight offences, some after trial.

Sentencing | 16-week custodial, suspended for 12 months; £10,000 towards costs plus £154 victim surcharge. FIVE-year ban (expires December 2028).

DevonLive

In October 2010 Curtis was given an ASBO due to excessive noise from 100 dogs kept at her property. She pleaded guilty to a noise abatement offence. She was also fined £2,000.

Police officers and animal welfare officers were forced to remove all but six of the dogs from Curtis after she failed to adhere to a court order to do so.

Following Curtis’s conviction, Devon & Cornwall Police Inspector Andy Lilburn said there was “no suggestion of cruelty here whatsoever”, adding that the dogs were “healthy, well-cared for, fed and watered”.

Curtis said she intended appealing the decision but said that “most of the dogs will have been destroyed by the time I raise the money”.

Following the appeal hearing in November 2010, she was ultimately given permission to keep 14 animals.

In December 2011 a further 34 dogs as well as 14 horses were seized from Curtis. After pleading guilty to breaching her ASBO, she was told she could only have a maximum of six dogs.

The RSPCA said at the time they were considering if any animal welfare offences had been committed and whether to prosecute.

In June 2013 Curtis was given a community sentence of 240 hours of unpaid work and ordered to pay £27,000 in court costs after keeping 33 horses and 34 dogs in appalling conditions.

Animals abused and neglected by serial animal hoarder Diana Curtis from Torrington, Devon.

Officials from the RSPCA found the premises to be covered in faeces and littered with hazards.

The court heard there was no outside grazing available and virtually no food and animals had to eat part of a stinging nettle bush.

Animals abused and neglected by serial animal hoarder Diana Curtis from Torrington, Devon.

Prosecutor Iain O’Donnell said: ‘Thirty-four dogs were removed from the premises. Photographs show the disgusting conditions in which they were living.’

Curtis was only banned from keeping horses and for a mere 12 months.

Daily Mail

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

Abernant, Carmarthenshire: Beverly Gilson and John Howard

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CONVICTED (2023) | hoarders/breeders Beverly Gilson, born 28 May 1959, and John Howard, born 15 November 1951, previously of Eastville, Bristol and now of Trallwyn, Abernant, Carmarthen SA33 5RL – kept 48 severely neglected dogs in a “house of horrors”.

West Wales hoarders/breeders Beverly Gilson and John Howard,kept 48 severely neglected dogs and a cat in a "house of horrors".
Pet hoarders/breeders Beverly Gilson and John Howard received a five-year ban on keeping animals after 48 neglected dogs and a cat were found in filthy conditions at their home

RSPCA inspector Keith Hogben described the scene of shocking neglect that confronted him during his first visit to the remote property shared by Beverly Gilson and John Howard. He said: “I could hear a large amount of dogs inside and when entering the kitchen area found there to be many dogs kept in cages, some stacked on top of each other, other dogs were running loose in the house.

“The conditions in the kitchen area were in a poor state with many of the dogs having matted coats and no bedding in their cages, some dogs had water provided by rabbit bottles attached to the cages.

“The smell of dog faeces and urine was overpowering, the room was dark with very little natural light coming in and the dogs were barking constantly.

“I noticed one dog in particular being kept in a small rodent cage and this dog was continually spinning in the cage, there was little room for anything else in this cage.

“Many of the dogs in these cages had faeces present that had not been cleaned out and there was faeces trodden into the floor of the kitchen area.”

“In the living room several more dogs were found in cages in similar conditions as found in the kitchen. Here there was no carpet and a “strong smell of dog faeces and urine.”

West Wales hoarders/breeders Beverly Gilson and John Howard,kept 48 severely neglected dogs and a cat in a "house of horrors".

In three of the upstairs rooms he found dogs to be present – two of these rooms were three bearded collie type dogs. In the third bedroom there were five dogs in cages in similar conditions to downstairs.
Inspector Hogben added that there were several dogs loose in this bedroom with “obvious matted coats”.

“The smell of urine and faeces in this third bedroom was one of the worst I have smelt in my near-24 years with the RSPCA,” he said.

West Wales hoarders/breeders Beverly Gilson and John Howard,kept 48 severely neglected dogs and a cat in a "house of horrors".
Dozens of dogs were being kept in filthy conditions without access to fresh air, veterinarian care, or a proper water supply

“There was no window open and when I opened the door to this bedroom I was taken aback by the smell, it made me cough and retch.”

He explained to Gilson and Howard that the conditions were unacceptable and many of the dogs were in a suffering state and a vet needed to examine the dogs.

Two days later Inspector Hogben returned with a vet and RSPCA deputy chief inspector Gemma Cooper.

Inspector Hogben said: “Many of the dogs from upstairs on my last visit were now downstairs and there were still a large amount of dogs in cages. The smell of urine, faeces was again overpowering even though Beverly Gilson had opened windows.”

West Wales hoarders/breeders Beverly Gilson and John Howard,kept 48 severely neglected dogs and a cat in a "house of horrors".
Many of the dogs had matted coats, 17 had skin disease and 26 had eye conditions

The vet informed him that the animals needed to be removed. Throughout that day each dog was brought out of the property and examined by the vet.

“Many of these dogs were in a poor condition with heavily matted coats, overgrown nails and some had eye issues, there was also an unpleasant smell coming from the dogs,” said inspector Hogben.

West Wales hoarders/breeders Beverly Gilson and John Howard,kept 48 severely neglected dogs and a cat in a "house of horrors".

In total 39 dogs were signed over to the RSPCA for rehoming – with Hope Rescue and The Dogs Trust attending to assist with 21 of the dogs.
Gilson and Howard decided they wanted to keep nine dogs and the cat – but would voluntarily allow the RSPCA to remove them from the property as they did not want police attendance.

Sadly the cat – who was very poorly – was put to sleep on welfare grounds and two dogs were also put to sleep on veterinary advice – with permission sought from the owner.

West Wales hoarders/breeders Beverly Gilson and John Howard,kept 48 severely neglected dogs and a cat in a "house of horrors".
The RSPCA said it was initially difficult to determine the breed of the some of the dogs due to the matted and filthy condition of their coats 

In a written statement from DCI Cooper she said when she entered the property “the foul smell hit me and as I got even further into the property, my eyes started to water.

She added: “I have been an RSPCA Inspector for 12 years and I can’t remember the last time a property made my eyes water like this.

“The house was extremely chaotic with dogs barking and running everywhere. Near to the front door was a heavily matted, white, toy poodle type dog standing on a table that Beverly Gilson was in the middle of grooming. I could see fleas crawling all over her and she was trembling. Her skin looked pink and she appeared extremely uncomfortable.

“There were approximately 18 dogs in the first room, some free roaming and some in cages. There were puppy pads placed on the floor and inside the crates; urine was seen on many of the pads as well as on the floor of the house.

“Dog faeces, some that had been trod in by other dogs, was also seen on the floor throughout the property.

“The dogs in the crates had no access to a comfortable resting area or a separate toileting area and shockingly, they had access to water through a rabbit drinking bottle.

“In the kitchen area there were approximately 30 dogs, again some free roaming and many in crates. Many of the dogs were very nervous and others jumped up at the crate, craving attention. I noted one dog was spinning in her crate.”

West Wales hoarders/breeders Beverly Gilson and John Howard,kept 48 severely neglected dogs and a cat in a "house of horrors".

DCI Cooper added that many of the dogs “were so badly matted” she had trouble identifying their breed.

“One dog was clearly in pain, screaming as the veterinary surgeon examined him and the screaming went right through me. It was awful to listen to,” she said.

The dogs ranged from poodles, Japanese chins, rough collies, Pekingese, chihuahuas, shih tzus and a lot of crosses between these breeds, with one RSPCA rescuer having trouble identifying the breeds due to their matted coats.

The dogs that were signed over into RSPCA care and other charities have now been happily rehomed.

Sentencing | 15-week custodial suspended for nine months; 15 days of rehabilitation; 50 hours of unpaid work; £400 each; FIVE-year ban on keeping all animals (expires December 2028).

BBC News
Western Telegraph
Wales Online

Animal Abandonment, Cats, Hoarders, Worst of the Worst

Runcorn, Cheshire: Carrie-Anne Renwick

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CONVICTED (2023) | Carrie Anne Renwick, born c. 1970, of Meadow Row, Castlefields, Runcorn WA7 2LN – moved out of her squalid flat, leaving seven cats to starve to death.

RSPCA inspectors found the decomposing bodies of seven cats in Carrie-Anne Renwick's squalid and flea-infested Runcorn flat
RSPCA inspectors found the decomposing bodies of seven cats in Carrie-Anne Renwick’s squalid and flea-infested Runcorn flat

The deceased animals were surrounded by rubbish and overflowing litter trays in a flat that was so cluttered some of the rooms were inaccessible.

The cats’ owner, Carrie-Anne Renwick had vacated the property in Primrose Close, Runcorn, months earlier leaving her abandoned pets behind to die.

The court heard how the deceased animals were removed by RSPCA inspector Nadine Pengilly on July 5, 2023.

In her evidence, Inspector Pengilly said: “As I approached the front door, I was attacked by hundreds of fleas escaping via the letterbox.

“We went to the back of the property and I could clearly see the flat was in a filthy condition, with overflowing litter trays and bags of rubbish all over the floor.

“The place was full of clutter and there was a mass flea infestation.

“The first room on the right was the bathroom which was dirty and cluttered. I found two dead cats on the floor.

“The first room on the left was the main bedroom, where there was a dead cat on the bed, two in the wardrobe, one near the door and one behind the curtains on the floor.

“The bedroom was cluttered with items and made access hard as I had to climb over bags of shopping.

“The black cat found in the wardrobe looked like he hadn’t been dead long as he still had flesh on his body and was being eaten by maggots.”

RSPCA inspectors found the decomposing bodies of seven cats in Carrie-Anne Renwick's squalid and flea-infested Runcorn flat

RSPCA inspector Leanne Cooper, who also attended the address, added: “There was a foul smell coming from the property that I could smell from standing outside the front door.

“I could see live and dead flies on the windows and hundreds of live and dead fleas. These actually jumped on me when I opened the letterbox.”

The deceased animals were taken into possession by police and their bodies examined by a vet.

The cat found in the wardrobe had died at least 36 hours earlier while, the other six carcasses were dried out and rigid, suggesting they had been dead for some time.

“Decomposition was so marked that the bodies were not suitable for a post mortem examination,” Ms Cooper said.

“Reviewing the carcasses along with the environmental evidence, starvation and dehydration cannot be ruled out as potential causes of death due to the lack of water and fresh food.

“I would expect a responsible owner to seek veterinary attention should their pet become underweight.

“Moreover, if their animal became weak or lethargic. Starvation and dehydration cause weakness and debilitation.

“This will have been uncomfortable and severely impacted the cats’ everyday lives and their ability to ambulate, to obtain food or water and even to play.

“Emaciation can cause mental suffering through having a constant hunger that is never fulfilled.

“It is reported to take at least four days for a cat to starve to death – a slow, painful and prolonged process as the body shuts down. This will have been unpleasant.”

Renwick had previously been given advice by the RSPCA about appropriate flea treatment but had turned down offers of help to rehome the cats.

In mitigation, the court heard she had health and alcohol issues.

Before sentencing, deputy district judge Price highlighted that only a custodial sentence was appropriate in this case due to the nature and seriousness of the offences.

However, taking Renwick’s guilty pleas into account, the judge agreed to suspend the sentence.

Sentencing | 16 weeks in prison suspended for 12 months; 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days; alcohol treatment programme; costs and surcharge totalling £354. A 10-year ban on owning or keeping animals (expires December 2033).

CheshireLive
Runcorn and Widnes World

Animal Abandonment, Equine Abuse, Hoarders, horses and ponies, Multiple Species, rabbits, Small Furries, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers, Worst of the Worst

St Austell, Cornwall: Bradlea Clay

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CONVICTED (2023) | Bradlea Ann Clay, born c. 1996, previously of Landrew Road, St Austell PL25 3UQ, but now thought to be in Tickhill, Doncaster, South Yorkshire – punched and kicked a poor pony that was struggling under the weight of her daughter and left two poorly rabbits starving in their own filth.

Animal abuser and hoarder Bradlea Clay from St Austell, Cornwall, but believed to now be in Doncaster, South Yorkshire.

Mother-of-three Clay pleaded guilty to three animal welfare charges.

The court heard how Clay’s next door neighbour could see from her bathroom window into a field outside. One day she heard a lot of shouting and looked out to see Clay’s daughter on a pony.

Animal abuser and hoarder Bradlea Clay from St Austell, Cornwall, but believed to now be in Doncaster, South Yorkshire.

Clay was shouting at her daughter and the pony before she punched the pony several times and aggressively grabbed the reins. The pony didn’t want the child on his back and was ducking his head. Clay then walked over and kicked at the pony before punching him on his jaw.

Animal abuser and hoarder Bradlea Clay from St Austell, Cornwall, but believed to now be in Doncaster, South Yorkshire.

The RSPCA was contacted and attended and when inspectors arrived they found two severely underweight rabbits. They were on wet hay and one of the rabbits had a parasitic condition which would have been easily treated.

The rabbits had to be euthanised and the cause of death was poor diet and environmental conditions.

Animal abuser and hoarder Bradlea Clay from St Austell, Cornwall, but believed to now be in Doncaster, South Yorkshire.

Sentencing Clay, Judge Simon Carr said: “Those who choose to take on the responsibility for animals take on an enormous task. They are responsible for making sure they are safe, well fed and properly treated. You failed in all of these tasks.

“To hit an animal is unforgivable and shows poor character.”

Judge Carr said the rabbits had “just been ignored”, adding: “If you can’t look after animals you take them to a sanctuary, not leave them to die which is what you did.”

It was reported that the pony is “under different care”.

Sentencing | four-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months. Five-year order banning her from taking on new animals. She is allowed to keep her pet bulldog due to his age as well as mice and fish.

CornwallLive

Additional Information

We understood that Bradlea Clay’s conviction in relation to rabbits and a pony are, according to one local, “the tip of the iceberg.” In a Facebook comment, they wrote that Clay “owned sheep, cattle, ponies, rabbits, ferrets, chickens, ducks, geese, quail, guinea pigs dogs and cats. With little income and definitely no knowledge of animal husbandry whatsoever, these creatures died/escaped, starved one by one.”

Animal abuser and hoarder Bradlea Clay from St Austell, Cornwall, but believed to now be in Doncaster, South Yorkshire.

Another wrote: “She kept her horses nearby from where I lived. She left them for days without checking on them. They had no food and water. She still has cattle which are not looked after and are left for days with no food. She claims she’s knows about farming but she hasn’t got a clue. She should never have animals again.”

Animal Torture, Cats, Dogs, guinea pigs, Hoarders, Lifers, Multiple Species, Reptiles / Exotics, Serial Animal Abusers, Small Furries, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers, Worst of the Worst

Stanley, County Durham: Dominic Jackson and Laura Smith

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CONVICTED | serial violent animal abuser Dominic John Callum Jackson aka Dominic Holmes, born 15 October 1997, of Cotswold Terrace, Stanley DH9 6QH – for attacks on multiple pets, causing serious or fatal injuries, while neglecting and starving others; others suffered horrendous neglect and starvation at the home shared with co-defendant Laura Louise Smith, born c. 1992.

Animal abusers: Dominic Jackson aka Dominic Holmes and Laura Smith from Stanley, County Durham
Sadistic serial pet abuser Dominic Jackson is disqualified from keeping animals for life while gormless partner Laura Smith, who also goes by the names Laura Jackson or Laura Holmes, only received a one-year ban

Monstrous Dominic Jackson pleaded guilty to inflicting blunt force trauma and physical violence on his pets after he was prosecuted by the RSPCA following reports that he had been seen kicking cats.

Peterlee Magistrates’ Court heard how inspectors from the charity had visited the home of Jackson and Smith on January 28, 2023, to find a number of animals – some of whom were underweight – living in poor conditions.

Some of the animals saved from a life of physical abuse and neglect at the Stanley, County Durham home of Dominic Jackson aka Dominic Holmes and Laura Smith

In her evidence, inspector Rowena Proctor, who attended the property with her colleague Heidi Cleaver, said: “The living room smelled strongly of cat urine and was unclean throughout with very dirty litter trays.

Several of the cats appeared to be very underweight with ribs and pelvis felt with ease. One cat in particular was of major concern.

“I spotted her lying on the top of a corner unit which was around 7.5 feet (2.2 metres) tall and she appeared to be deceased. I was eventually able to reach up far enough to get hold of the cat who thankfully was still alive but appeared weak and lethargic.

“Her name was Missy and she was the skinniest of all of the cats. Our concerns relating to the animal’s weights were explained and following discussion with myself and inspector Cleaver, all cats were put into carriers and removed from the property.”

Animal abusers: Dominic Jackson aka Dominic Holmes and Laura Smith from Stanley, County Durham

The animals – five cats called Missy, Toby, Tabby, Felix and Simba, and a crested gecko called Bumblebee – were taken straight for veterinary treatment and later seized by the police as evidence. The vet said all of the cats were suffering and four of them were too thin, although they all made good weight gains with appropriate care in the weeks that followed.

Sadistic animal killer Dominic Jackson aka Dominic Holmes from Stanley, County Durham

Veterinary notes seen by the RSPCA during the investigation revealed how other pets previously belonging to Jackson – a guinea pig; a ferret; three cats called Tibby, BamBam and Bambi; a black terrier type puppy called Lulu and one unknown species of animal – had also sustained injuries or died without explanation or veterinary intervention.

Tibby was found to have sustained a broken back leg after reportedly falling off the bed when alone in the bedroom with Jackson and died. A ferret called Maggie and a guinea pig were said to have been found dead in their cages by Jackson, who claimed other cats had fallen down the stairs or been found dead behind the sofa. Lulu had suffered a head trauma but has since been rehomed by the RSPCA.

Sadistic animal killer Dominic Jackson aka Dominic Holmes from Stanley, County Durham

The court heard how Jackson had admitted punching Toby with a closed fist after he’d eaten another cat’s food, resulting in the cat having to have his eye removed. He also said he had slapped Missy and Felix, but could offer no explanation as to why other animals had unexpectedly got injured or died.

Another vet who gave evidence as part of the case, said none of the animals were reported to have sustained accidental injuries such as road traffic accidents or falling from a significant height.

“In my opinion, Missy, Toby, Felix, Simba and Tabby have all been caused to suffer as a consequence of physical abuse,” he said.

“Suffering will have been experienced by these animals via mechanisms of fear, distress and pain for variable periods of time.

“In my opinion it is highly likely that the dog made known as Lulu was also caused to suffer as a consequence of physical abuse, although the details of the circumstances surrounding the injuries to this dog are not sufficient to draw this conclusion with surety.”

Animal abusers: Dominic Jackson aka Dominic Holmes and Laura Smith from Stanley, County Durham

Most of the animals removed from the property on January 28 were signed over to the RSPCA during the course of the investigation and have since been rehomed by the charity. A deprivation order made by the court will ensure any that still remain – or have been brought since – must be handed over and will be rehomed.

Jackson was given eight weeks’ custody, suspended for two years, on each of the three offences to run concurrently. He was also given a lifetime disqualification order on keeping animals.

In mitigation, he told the court he was vulnerable and suffering from poor mental health and repeatedly claimed that someone else was responsible for coming into the house and harming the animals.

In September 2023, Laura Smith pleaded guilty to one offence contrary to the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and received a conditional discharge and one-year ban.

Speaking after the conclusion of the court hearing, inspector Proctor said: “This was an extremely upsetting and disturbing investigation as it became clear during the course of our enquiries that a large number of animals had suffered neglect and deliberate cruelty at the hands of Jackson. He had a duty of care towards his pets but instead inflicted violence and injuries.”

Sentencing |
Dominic Jackson: eight-week custodial suspended for two years for each of the three offences to run concurrently; £360 in costs and a victim surcharge of £154. Banned from keeping animals for life.
Laura Smith: 12-month conditional discharge. One-year ban which expires September 2024.

Northern Echo
ChronicleLive

Cats, Dogs, Hoarders, Multiple Species

Coatbridge, North Lanarkshire: Patrick-Michael McCluskey

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CONVICTED (2023) | Patrick-Michael McCluskey, born 1 June 2004, of 9 Selkirk Way, Coatbridge ML5 4TN – kept dogs and cats in a home full of household waste, clutter and animal faeces.

Animal abusers Patrick-Michael McCluskey and Sylvia McCluskey from Coatbridge, North Lanarkshire,Scotland
Teenage animal abuser Patrick-Michael McCluskey who goes by the name PM McCluskey ignored repeated warnings from the Scottish SPCA over the atrocious conditions in which he kept dogs and cats. Despite living at the same address, Sylvia McCluskey, aka Sylvia McNicoll had her not guilty plea accepted by the court.

McCluskey pleaded guilty to failing to provide a clean and safe environment for two dogs in his care, but walked free from court with an admonishment. He wasn’t even banned from owning animals.

A not guilty plea was accepted for the teenager’s mother, Sylvia Claire McCluskey, born 25 November 1963, and of the same address..

Scottish SPCA inspector, Jack Marshall, said, “We had attended the address on Selkirk Way on several occasions between October 2017 and May 2022.

“We provided Patrick-Michael McCluskey with advice and support on how to care for his animals but unfortunately the conditions at the property continued to deteriorate. We removed several dogs and cats from his care during this period.

“A previous report to the fiscal in May 2021 resulted in a fiscal’s warning being issued about the conditions animals were being kept in on the premises.

“In September 2022 we received a call from Police Scotland who had attended Selkirk Way on an unrelated matter and become extremely concerned due to conditions at the property.

“We gained a warrant to enter the address and this was conducted on 14 September 2022.

“On entering the property we found it was full of household waste, clutter and animal faeces.

“There were two one-year-old dogs at the property, a poodle-type dog named Lady and a husky named Lola.

“Due to concerns for their welfare they were immediately removed from the address and taken for veterinary examination.

“It’s disappointing that this case has only resulted in an admonishment as any responsible owner would have been able to see that the conditions within the property were far from suitable for any person, let alone an animal, to have to endure.”

Sentencing | admonition*. No ban.

Scottish SPCA News
STV News

*An admonition is where an accused person found guilty of a crime is warned not to offend again. It is recorded as a conviction and appears on their criminal record. No other penalty is given.

Dogs, Hoarders, Multiple Species, Reptiles / Exotics

Bream, Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire: Jon and Stacey McDermott

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CONVICTED (2023) | Jon McDermott, born 4 October (year tbc), and wife Stacey McDermott née Stacey Avery, born 14 August 1969, of New Road, Bream, near Lydney GL15 – kept six badly neglected dogs and a bearded dragon in poor conditions.

Convicted animal abusers Jon McDermott and Stacey McDermott from Bream, near Lydney, Gloucestershire. Picture: Facebook
Six dogs and bearded dragon found ‘living in faeces’ at the home of Stacey and Jon McDermott

A warrant was executed on Thursday, February 9, 2023, by Forest of Dean District Council animal welfare officials with the assistance of the Rural Crime Team and Local Policing Team from Gloucestershire Constabulary at the home of Jon and Stacey McDermott.

Six dogs and bearded dragon found 'living in faeces' at the home of Stacey and Jon McDermott

Four cavapoo-type dogs were found in an upstairs bedroom in squalid conditions. The wooden bedroom floor and en-suite floor was covered in dog faeces and urine, and the dogs were unkempt with long claws and matted fur. Two further dogs of similar breed were kept in the downstairs kitchen, with the floor of the kitchen containing dog faeces and all dogs having very little bedding.

The dogs were seized and rushed for treatment at a local vet practice. They were found to have various health conditions, badly matted coats, and were covered in fleas.

Meanwhile, the bearded dragon was found in the conservatory area in an appropriately-sized vivarium. However, he had no heat or lighting, and the substrate was full of faeces and there appeared to be no fresh food or water.

Stacey McDermott and Jon McDermott appeared at Cheltenham Magistrates Court on October 16, 2023.

Six dogs and bearded dragon found 'living in faeces' at the home of Stacey and Jon McDermott

Prosecutor Alex Kirk described the scene to the court describing the master bedroom in which the six dogs were kept as being “in a shocking state”.

He continued: “The quantity of faeces was overwhelming and the amount of it showed that the room hadn’t been cleaned for a number of months.

“The dogs were seized and were found to be suffering from a number of conditions.

“One had an infection in its eye which had to be removed by a vet while another was significantly smaller than the others.

“Another three dogs had otitis (a middle ear infection) in both ears while the remainder were suffering from long-term skin inflammations causing them animal’s pain, itching and overall long-term suffering.”

Mr Kirk explained that the house was in a cluttered state with an “overwhelming stench of ammonia and fleas”, while the garden, which was mostly concreted over, was full of building materials and trailers.

Mr Kirk added: “Inside an outbuilding there was a cage that contained a bearded dragon lizard which, because of the lack of ultraviolet light, was not the sandy-yellow colour it would normally be.

“When the cage was opened the lizard did not move or react. The lizard was seized and ultimately taken to a reptile sanctuary.”

Six dogs and bearded dragon found 'living in faeces' at the home of Stacey and Jon McDermott

Mr Kirk added: “This was a long-standing period of neglect where the animals suffered badly, contracting severe eye and ear conditions along with skin inflammation. The amount of faeces discovered showed this was not a recent occurrence but had been going on for some time.”

Stacey McDermott pleaded guilty to two counts of causing unnecessary suffering to dogs in her care and two counts of failing to meet the needs of the dogs and a bearded dragon in her care.

Jon McDermott pleaded guilty to two counts of failing to meet an animal’s needs for the bearded dragon and all six dogs.

Prosecutor Alex Kirk said: “The master bedroom was in a shocking state as six crossbreed adult cavapoo dogs were kept inside. “The quantity of faeces was overwhelming and the amount of it showed that the room hadn’t been cleaned for a number of months. “The dogs were seized and were found to be suffering from a number of conditions. “One had an infection in its eye which had to be removed by a vet while another was significantly smaller than the others. "Another three dogs had otitis (a middle ear infection) in both ears while the remainder were suffering from long-term skin inflammations causing them animal’s pain, itching and overall long-term suffering." Mr Kirk explained that the house was in a cluttered state with an "overwhelming stench of ammonia and fleas", while the garden, which was mostly concreted over, was full of building materials and trailers. Mr Kirk added: “Inside an outbuilding there was a cage that contained a bearded dragon lizard which, because of the lack of ultraviolet light, was not the sandy-yellow colour it would normally be. “When the cage was opened the lizard did not move or react. The lizard was seized and ultimately taken to a reptile sanctuary.” Mr Kirk added: “This was a long-standing period of neglect where the animals suffered badly, contracting severe eye and ear conditions along with skin inflammation. The amount of faeces discovered showed this was not a recent occurrence but had been going on for some time."

In mitigation Holly Burton told the court the couple were in financial dire straits and owed more than £10,000 in various debts.

She added: “Both of them have mental health difficulties and were living themselves among these poor living conditions.

“The couple did not deliberately mistreat the animals, but had become neglectful, mainly due to the deterioration of their mental health.”

The prosecution was brought by the Street Warden Team at The Forest of Dean District Council with the assistance of the Counter Fraud and Enforcement Unit.

Sentencing | eight weeks in prison each, suspended for 12 months; contribution of £750 each towards the council’s costs; victim surcharge of £154. Disqualified from keeping dogs for five years (expires October 2028).

GloucestershireLive
ITV News

Cats, Hoarders, Worst of the Worst

Beeston, City of Leeds: Donna Adams

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CONVICTED (2023) | pet hoarder Donna R Adams, born 11 May 1971, of 101 Tempest Road, Beeston Hill, Leeds LS11 6RD – failed to feed her eight cats a proper diet or treat their ailments.

Leeds animal abuser Donna Adams fed her eight cats a diet of boiled eggs, bread and cheese
Donna Adams fed her eight poorly cats a diet of boiled eggs, bread and cheese but refused to acknowledge her failure to meet their needs

Adams appealed unsuccessfully against her animal cruelty conviction following a trial in February 2023.

She was prosecuted by the RSPCA after the eight cats, who were underweight and suffering from eye and dental issues, were discovered at her flat in Tempest Road, Beeston Hill on 14 January 2022.

Two of the most underweight cats, Claudia and Barnaby, each weighed only 1.4 kilograms (3.086 pounds) and many of them had conjunctivitis, corneal lesions and dental disease.

Sadly two cats was put to sleep on veterinary advice because of kidney failure.

The vet who examined the cats gave the majority of the felines body condition scores of just two or three out of nine.

She said she was highly concerned their basic nutritional needs were not being met and their low body weights suggested they were suffering as a result of a poor diet. Only one cat had been able to obtain enough nutrition to maintain an acceptable condition.

The vet told the court she suspected the cats had suffered for a period of between ‘several weeks and up to two to three months’.

She added: “The significant weight gain and improvement in their body condition once in RSPCA care proved that their previous diet was either unsuitable or of an insufficient quantity.

“Failure to provide suitable food would have resulted in the cats suffering from hunger, and this could have been avoided through the provision of proper food, seeking appropriate dietary advice or reaching out to animal welfare charities to assist with rehoming.”

In her evidence at the appeal hearing, Adams – who refused to sign any of the animals over – said she had kept cats for over ten years and in her view, they were all well fed and in good condition.

She confirmed their feeding regime included two boiled eggs, a slice of bread and some oil, bits of cheese and an occasional tray of chicken and access to biscuits.

She insisted the cats were in good condition and disputed their diet was inadequate or that the ocular discharge and dental disease required specialist veterinary intervention.

Leeds animal abuser Donna Adams fed her eight cats a diet of boiled eggs, bread and cheese

In cross-examination, she conceded that only one cat, Barnaby, had seen the PDSA – which was the day before they were removed – but evidence of other consultations could not be found.

Adams’ appeal against her conviction and sentence was dismissed following a hearing at Leeds Crown Court on Friday 15 September 2023.

Dismissing the appeal, Judge Simon Phillips KC and two lay magistrates said they were in no doubt as to the evidence in the case, which showed prolonged neglect and harm had been caused to the cats.

They said the complete lack of insight shown by Adams led them to believe that her disqualification should be extended in relation to all animals from a period of five years to seven years.

RSPCA inspector Kris Walker, one of the investigating officers, said:

“Adams continued to maintain that her cats were well cared for, despite the overwhelming veterinary evidence to the contrary. A responsible owner would have recognised their pet was not thriving and would have proactively sought professional help and advice.”

Sentencing | seven-year ban on keeping animals (expires September 2030).

South Leeds Life
LeedsLive