CONVICTED (2021) | David R Thompson, born 8 January 1970, of Harwich Road, Colchester CO4 3LD – kept animals in atrocious conditions at his so-called sanctuary

When an RSPCA inspector arrived at Dave Thompson’s shelter, D+K Fuzzy Ferrets + Fox Rescue in Harwich Road, Colchester, in November 2019, she could see flies around the letterbox.

Police officers and RSPCA inspectors entered the property and found horrifying conditions within, with one police constable reporting she was almost sick due to the smell.

In total, 44 ferrets and polecats, four foxes, three jackdaws, two pigeons, a dove, two crows and a hedgehog were removed from the premises.

During the raid, the conditions were described as filthy, with many of the birds covered in faeces and suffering ragged feathers as a result of their squalid habitats.

Also seized were a large number of dead ferrets, a dead barn owl and some unidentified dead animals.

All of the ferrets and polecats bar three were found to be underweight, and were suffering from a variety of conditions – some of which were felt by the vet to be the result of poor feeding.

Nine animals had swelling to the eyes and required antibiotics, a number had gingivitis, thinning fur and bald patches which resolved once in care.

One ferret had to have an eye removed, with the vet asserting the painful condition had been present for a minimum of 21 days.

Several birds had to be euthanised.

Many of the animals made a full recovery following veterinary intervention.

Thompson admitted charges of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal and failing to take all reasonable steps to ensure the needs of an animal for which he was responsible are met.

Prosecutor Hazel Stevens told the court: “This was supposed to be a rescue organisation, holding itself out as having knowledge and experience of ferrets and foxes.

“There was prolonged neglect and ill-treatment, and animals were suffering and others were likely to suffer had they been left in that situation.

“Animals required euthanasia, some birds having been left with broken and dislocated bones.”

Banning Thompson from keeping animals for three years, chair of the bench David Murtagh said: “You’ve got no relevant previous convictions, you were unwell at the time with mental health difficulties.

“We note your lifelong commitment to the care of animals, we take all of that into account.

“Nevertheless we cannot get away from the fact that what we saw in the photographs was absolutely appalling.

“We heard the police describe it as absolutely disgusting, we’ve heard the neighbours at the time were unable to open their windows because of the smell, and several animals were found dead during the inspection – either found dead or had to be put down at some later point.”

Sentencing: 250 hours of unpaid work; £710 in costs. Banned from keeping animals for three years (expires April 2023).

Harwich and Manningtree Standard