CONVICTED (2021) | serial pet hoarder Ellen Francis Sibley, born c. 1956, of Little Hall Road, Nechells, Birmingham – continued to collect and hoard animals despite previous cruelty convictions and a lifetime ban

Ellen Sibley was found to be keeping a menagerie of pets including four cats, a dog, two hamsters and a pair of budgerigars after ignoring the lifetime ban imposed in 2011.

Sibley was banned from keeping pets for life in May 2011 following a joint prosecution with husband Brian Sibley after more than 20 flea-infested animals were found in filthy conditions at her home.

An inspection of the property revealed birds including a cockatiel and a budgie being kept in filthy cages without food and water while a cat was seen using a litter tray that was overflowing.

A shallow grave was discovered outside containing the body of a kitten which had recently died.

A collie-type dog called Sheba appeared to be lame and when she was examined the animal was found to have a broken pelvis. The court heard the dog was in “enormous pain”.

Sibley has blatantly ignored the ban ever since and was even jailed for four months in 2012 for one particular breach.

Her latest breach was discovered in late October 2020 when an RSPCA inspector went to her home in Little Hall Road, Nechells.

Prosecutor Raife Turner said: “The property was dirty and there was a stench. She said she had four or five cats. There was a puppy confined in the bathroom in squalid conditions. It was in a small crate which wasn’t of sufficient size.

“There was a cat in a carrier. The bedding was wet with urine and faeces. Other cats were found in the bedroom which was littered with faeces, which gives an indication of how the household was being run by the defendant.

“She said she had owned one of the cats for years which is another indication of her response to the previous disqualification.” He added:

“She is in a position where she finds it difficult to look after herself and certainly in no position whatsoever to look after, and never should be able to look after protected animals.”

The pets have since been removed but even Sibley’s lawyer conceded she could not guarantee against further breaches of the 2011 ban due to her learning difficulties.

Sibley pleaded guilty to breaching a disqualification as well as failure to ensure the welfare of animals she was responsible for.

Magistrates appeared a little stumped as to the appropriate course of action following her latest offence. The chair of the bench described the case as an ‘extremely desperate situation’ and said: “This has been a difficult case to deal with. We are very concerned we find ourselves here again.

“There doesn’t appear to be community-based mechanisms that assist this lady and prevent her having animals. I appreciate their attraction but they do need to be looked after. We have no desire to see any animals suffer.”

Addressing Sibley directly she added: “I know you hear me now. You have got to try and remember when you leave court it’s forever, you must never have animals.”

The lifetime ban was re-granted and she was handed a six-month conditional discharge as well as told to pay a £20 victim surcharge.

Birmingham Mail