CONVICTED (2016) | Susan Maude, born 08/08/1953, formerly of Wirral, Merseyside, and more recently (2018) Bridge Street, Normanton WF6 2ES – dumped five kittens and three adult cats in zipped-up laundry bag and abandoned a dog.

CCTV cameras recorded Maude leaving her then home in Tranmere, Wirral, with the bag at around midnight and returning empty-handed a short while later.

The same zipped up laundry bag was discovered on land off Southwick Road, Tranmere, the following day. Inside were five kittens and adult cats Polly, Dolly and Dylan.

Maude was charged with failing to ensure a suitable environment for the kittens and a dog named Rusty, and failing to protect them from pain, suffering, injury or disease through dumping the cats and letting the dog loose.

She was prosecuted by the RSPCA and the case was presented at Birkenhead Magistrates’ Court.

But Maude did not attend, leading to her being found guilty in her absence.

A warrant was issued for her arrest for sentencing,

Wirral RSPCA Inspector Anthony Joynes said: “If they had not been found when they were we could easily have been dealing with a bag full of dead animals.

“The eight cats and kittens were covered in faeces and urine and were suffering with stress and exhaustion when they were discovered.
“They were dumped without any regard at all for their welfare in a place where they were unlikely to be found.

“This is completely unacceptable – on every level.”

Sentencing | 12-month community order; £500 in costs. Banned from keeping animals for 10 years (expires March 2026).

Liverpool Echo