CONVICTED (2017) | animal hoarder Arlene Barbara Ashcroft, born 07/08/1952, most recently of Harewood, Chorley PR7 1XL – banned for keeping 11 dogs in appalling conditions; repeatedly flouted her ban
In June 2008 Arlene Ashcroft was banned from keeping animals for life after neglecting 11 dogs in her care. The lifetime ban was later reduced on appeal to just five years.
The RSPCA originally took action against Ashcroft after finding the dogs infested with fleas and living in squalor at her then property in Pennine Avenue, Chorley.
RSPCA inspector Lisa Lupson said: “The conditions these animals were living in were absolutely shocking. There was faeces and urine all over the house. We had to put wellingtons on to go in, and of course the smell was horrendous.
“These were all very young animals, being forced to live in incredibly awful conditions, and suffering as a result. It’s taken a very long time to rid them of some of the infections they picked up whilst in Mrs Ashcroft’s care.”
Ashcroft had been due to stand trial but pleaded guilty at the eleventh hour to failing to meet the needs of nine of her dogs and causing unnecessary suffering to two of them.
At the time Ashcroft’s neighbours spoke of their relief that the dogs had been found a new home because they said their constant barking and noise made their lives hell.
Her next door neighbour said: “I never saw the dogs because they were always in the house, I’m glad something has been done to end this.”
Another neighbour said: “She has had dogs taken off her before but it is about time she was banned for life. Seven dogs in a semi-detached house with a small garden is not right and they are stuck in that house permanently.”
The cruelty first came to light in July 2007 when a one-year-old shih-tsu dog was found tied up inside Ashcroft’s garage – the dog was underweight and police were called to seize him.
A German shepherd puppy, a spaniel puppy, and a mastiff puppy, all aged 12 weeks, as well as a mastiff aged six months and a shih-tsu aged nine months were rescued the following week.
In September 2007 another three dogs were seized: a German shepherd puppy, a Border terrier-type aged two years and a Jack Russell puppy.
In January 2017 Ashcroft was back before the courts after being found found in possession of a rabbit. Six months later in June she was given a community order with a curfew for breaching her banning order by keeping a lurcher dog.
Lancashire Post – June 2017
Lancashire Post – January 2017
Update November 2020
Arlene Ashcroft was summoned back to court to face allegations that she had breached her ban yet again by keeping a puppy and a kitten at her flat in May and June 2020. Ashcroft was a ‘no show’ however.
Her co-defendant, ex-partner Robert Ashcroft, 80, of Bolton Street, Chorley, faced two breaches of his ban, imposed in 2009, by participating in keeping a puppy and kitten at her address.
He also failed to attend and warrants were issued for their arrests.
No updates are currently available.