CONVICTED (2017) | Adele Ankers (née Ollerhead), born 13/12/1977, of Heol Maelor, Coedpoeth, Wrexham LL11 – for the starvation and neglect of four dogs, two cats and four kittens
Adele Ankers was banned from keeping animals for life after two of her dogs died and eight other pets were kept in filthy conditions.
Ankers pleaded guilty to Animal Welfare Act offences, concerning German Shepherds Bonny and Lennon, terriers Marley and Marvin and cats Tom and Mini and four kittens.
Officers from RSPCA Cymru attended Ankers’ home where they discovered the bodies of Marley and Marvin and the other animals who were kept in unclean conditions.
The German Shepherds and adult cats were signed over into RSPCA care, while four kittens were later also rescued from the property.
Glen Murphy, prosecuting for the RSPCA, said: “The two German Shepherds were emaciated and very hungry. There was urine and faeces on the kitchen floor and no dog food in the house.
“One of the cats had an exceptionally matted coat, so extreme that a full body shave under sedation would be required to treat it. The other had a litter of kittens.”
The animals were taken to New Broughton Vets where the body condition of both German Shepherds was assessed as ‘one out of nine’, both having no body fat and suffering from malnutrition, with their matted coats covered in faeces.
Mr Murphy said the two dead terriers were both emaciated through lack of food.
One was found to have cardboard and plasticine inside its stomach, as it had attempted to eat what it could in order to feed its hunger.
The surviving animals were made available for rehoming.
Ian Barnes, defending, said care worker Ankers had struggled with the death of her partner, aged 41, and had not been looking after herself, her house or the animals.
He said: “She is genuinely remorseful. She neglected herself, her home and her animals.
“Her life fell apart when her partner died. It was a traumatic event last October.”
Chairman of the bench Andy Stubbs said: “The suffering of the animals in this case is quite horrific.
“However, we have heard of the problems in your life and the death of your partner.”
Sentencing: 16-week community order; curfew; a total of £385 in costs and charges. Banned from keeping animals for life but can appeal after 10 years.
There is No Excuse for Starving Animals to Death.
Another Mentally Disturbed Evil Scum.