CONVICTED (2017) | Zara Hicks, born 20/09/1979, and husband David James Hicks, born 02/09/1975, of Hemsby Road, Chessington KT9 2DY – left their pets to starve at home while they went on a luxury holiday
The Hicks both pleaded guilty to three charges under the animal welfare act after they left their pets to fend for themselves.
David Hicks, a lab technician with Specsavers Opticians, and Zara Hicks, a payroll manager with Macmillan Cancer Support, were banned from keeping animals and given suspended prison sentences after one of their cats was found dead, and another cat and dog found neglected in a dirty kitchen.
When the couple returned from the continent, Mr Hicks tried to blame his mother-in-law, saying they had arranged for her to check on the animals. She, however, denied this
The RSPCA visited the couple’s home in September 2016 after concern was raised to them about the brown female poodle cross called Honey, and a tortoiseshell male called Twitch and a tabby male called Dribble.
Inspectors arrived to discover Dribble already dead. He had been suffering from a tumour and associated illness which he had not received veterinary treatment for.
Twitch and Honey were neglected and distressed, but alive, living in a kitchen covered in faeces.
Honey and Twitch were taken by police and placed into RSPCA care,
Sentencing:
David Hicks was given a 16-week prison sentence suspended for two years, ordered to carry out 160 hours of unpaid work and to pay £400 costs.
Zara Hicks was given a 20-week prison sentence, suspended for two years, ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work in the community and pay £400 costs.
Both were banned from keeping animals for 12 years (expires March 2029) .