CONVICTED (2022) | serial pet abuser Susan Aston, born c. 1978, of Fourlands Road, Northfield, Birmingham B31 – left cats and rabbit without food and water to go on holiday for a week

Susan Aston was previously banned from keeping pets for life after two rabbits died in her care, but breached the order within seven months to acquire her latest animals.

The court hear claims she had been ‘exploited’ by people in her area and pressured into keeping them. Thankfully the RSPCA was alerted and forced entry to her home after four days to find the animals were still alive.

Inspector Steve Morrall said: “There was a mattress and blanket on the floor, both of which were stained and soiled with what appeared to be, and smelt of, urine and faeces. There was also a cat litter tray which was overflowing. In the room adjacent to the living room with the door shut was a lop eared rabbit contained in a wire cage.

“The water bottle on the cage was completely dry. Inside the cage there was a brown stoneware food bowl that was empty except for some rabbit droppings.

“There was no sign of bedding or food of any description in the cage, not even remnants. The floor of the cage was wet sawdust. It was compacted and heavily soiled with rabbit droppings and urine.”

Aston pleaded guilty to failing to ensure the welfare of animals and breaching a disqualification order.

Prosecutor Rafe Turner confirmed she had received her latest ban on November 5, 2020 but by May 2021 had the cats and rabbit.

He stated Aston had been in touch with another woman about looking after the animals while she went away, but ultimately could not afford to pay.

Mr Turner added: “The defendant knew full well the animals needed to be looked after but still went away.”

He told the court her absence was reported to the RSPCA who attended her home on May 20 and fitted seals to the doors to monitor if anyone was coming or going. The seals were still intact after four days so inspectors, assisted by the police, forced entry.

Mr Turner described the home as ‘chaotic’ and in ‘disarray’. He stated Aston returned on May 29 and added: “It was more by luck than judgement these animals survived.”

It was actually the third occasion Aston had breached an animal ban, the court heard. Shabeer Qureshi, defending, said: “I have some sympathy for Miss Aston. The breach has been presented as flagrant and on the face of it it does appear to be that.

“She is a lady with a lot of vulnerabilities. She is notably vulnerable to the manipulation of others. I asked why she kept these animals. People in the local area have told her to keep the animals for them.

“She told them she was not allowed to do that but they insisted. Being vulnerable she has gone along with that without putting up much of a fight.”

He did however accept Aston put her ‘own needs above the animals’ by leaving them for a week. Mr Qureshi assured the court she had ‘no desire’ to keep animals adding: “She has no wish to go out, she does because to an extent people have exploited her.”

The RSPCA confirmed the cats and rabbit have since been re-homed by the charity.

Sentencing: 18-month community order including 40 days of rehabilitation activity and 100 hours of unpaid work. She was hit with another lifetime ban on keeping animals which she will not be able to appeal for 15 years.

Birmingham Live