CONVICTED (2017) | Heather Patricia Green, born 26/02/1948, formerly of Dockacre Road, Launceston and as at September 2019 of Bishops Place, Paignton, Devon TQ3 3DZ – kept 27 poodles in squalid conditions at her home
Heather Green was found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to the animals in her care and failing to provide a suitable environment.
RSPCA inspector Lewis Taylor said, “These dogs were kept in inadequate conditions and were sadly suffering as a result.
“We found 21 dogs squashed together in five metal cages with six others running loose in just one room. It was a miserable existence and no way for animals to live.
“Anyone caring for animals must be able to meet their needs and provide them with the kind of life they deserve.”
According to the RSPCA, Heather Green told the court that she loved her animals and “never deliberately hurt them”.
She did not accept there was any problem or that the animals suffered unnecessarily, adding that “she felt her care of them sufficient”.
Several of the dogs were suffering from untreated dental disease; five were found to be underweight, while one of the poodles was obese. The poodles recovered in the RSPCA’s care and were to be made available for rehoming.
Sentencing: six-week custodial sentence, suspended for twelve months. Fined a total of £865. Banned from keeping dogs for 10 years.