CONVICTED (2024) | Frances Lambourne, born 4 March 1964, of Queens Lodge, Third Avenue, Cliftonville, Margate CT9 2LN – allowed her pet cat to suffer with untreated health conditions and left him behind when she moved address.
Lambourne pleaded guilty to two offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 in relation to a black male cat called Panther.
He was found outside Lambourne’s former home at Downs Road, Canterbury, on March 28, 2023, by RSPCA Inspector Grace Harris-Bridge, who was following-up on a report of concern by a member of the public to the charity’s cruelty line.
Panther was sitting outside the block of flats and smelt so strongly of infection that the inspector said she “smelt the cat before she saw him”.
“I recognised the cat from a previous visit in 2022 when I issued an Animal Welfare Assessment notice to the owner,” added the RSPCA inspector.
“The cat appeared very underweight with his hips, spine, pelvis and ribs visible and very prominent.”
A check with neighbours revealed Lambourne had moved out from her property, so the inspector took the cat for urgent veterinary treatment after which Kent Police took possession of him.
A vet report stated Panther would have been suffering with toothache because of the dental disease for at least five months, and he also had a flea infestation and an ear inflammation.
He was treated with painkillers and given flea and worm treatment, after which he made a good recovery and will be rehomed by the animal charity.
In mitigation, the court was told Lambourne had not been able to afford vet treatment because she was on a low income and she was remorseful.
Sentencing | 12-month community order with 100 hours of unpaid work; court costs of £100 and a victim surcharge of £154. Banned from keeping animals for five years (expires September 2029).
What a load of bull there Is places like the pdsa. Or even contact the rspca they would of helped. Just dis not care.