CONVICTED (2023) | Aaron Johnson born c. 1985, of Buckingham Grove, Kingswinford, Dudley DY6, and Emma Bayliss, born c. 1986, of Flavells Lane, Lower Dornall, Dudley DY3 – abandoned their home, leaving behind snakes, tortoises, spiders and fish.
Emma Bayliss and partner Aaron Johnson claimed they fled the property at Buckingham Grove, Kingswinford after receiving death threats.
The couple told RSPCA inspectors they returned to the property every other day to check on the animals, which they described as being like their “children”. But they were caught out lying when the RSPCA placed seals on their doors, which were unbroken for two weeks.
Two Royal Python snakes rescued from the property had untreated medical conditions with one of the reptiles having a mouth infection while the other was unable to shed its skin.
Elle-May Macey, defending, told the court both Bayliss and Johnson had a number of mental health issues which impacted their “consequential thinking”.
She said: “They stated they returned at least two times a week.
“The reason they left was not out of choice it was a case of them receiving threats to kill them, their house to be petrol bombed, Mr Johnson’s throat to be slit and Ms Bayliss’ uterus to be shoved down it.
“They had reported it to the police and had taken necessary steps however as the police were unhelpful they felt like they were really unsafe.
“They went to stay with the defendant’s sister.
“In the time they had been attending, they were concerned about the welfare of the snakes, they were their children in some regards.
“But in those moments they had been at the home they were being threatened.
“They were doing the necessary changing of water, cleaning out the enclosures and making sure the electricity was still on.”
She added that the couple did not notice any issues with the snakes due to the “urgency” of the circumstances when they returned.
Ms Macey also told the court that wounds on the snakes were already present after the defendants had purchased them from someone online, who had found them in a bin.
Baylis and Johnson each admitted two offences of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal.
Sentencing | 12-month community order with 30 days of rehabilitation activity; £334 in fine, costs and surcharge. 10-year ban on keeping animals.
There is no excuse for abandoning our Pets Full Stop.
They could have asked a Neighbour or A Pet Sitter, to call back and fore.