CONVICTED (2018) | George Barrett, born 31/08/1998, of Frosthole Close, Fareham PO15 – moved out of his flat leaving behind a cat to starve to death.
Barrett, a professional chef at Cam’s Mill Fareham, pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a black and white cat named Thomas after he failed to receive a suitable diet between September 16 2017 and November 23 2017
RSPCA chief inspector Jen Ride, who investigated, said: “This was a case of horrific neglect which sadly led to the death of Thomas.
“Barrett had abandoned his cat with just one bowl of food and one bowl before he locked the door and left the flat he had been renting.
“It’s thought that Thomas managed to survived for a number of weeks by drinking from the toilet. When his partially decomposed body was discovered he was curled up in his cat carrier just skin and bones.
“The saddest part of all is this could have been avoided and Thomas could still be alive today. There is never an excuse for simply walking away and leaving an animal to face a long slow death from starvation.”
Sentencing: 10 hours of unpaid work, ten rehabilitation activity days; a total of £285 costs and charges. Disqualified from keeping animals for just five years (expires April 2023).
We asked the owners of Cam’s Mill if they intended taking any action against their employee following his conviction for animal cruelty. This was their response:
Whilst I wholeheartedly do not approve of animal neglect George had been sentenced in a court of law, and has been punished for his crime with no jail sentence.
The judge saw fit not to detain him.
We have dealt with the issue internally, and as far as we are concerned the case is closed.