CONVICTED (2020) | animal hoarder Julie Margaret Robertson, born c. 1967, of Derwent Road, Skelton-in-Cleveland, Saltburn-by-the-Sea TS12 2NU – kept 48 guinea pigs in cramped cages, crates and hutches without food, water or bedding

Julie Robertson kept dozens of guinea pigs in crowded conditions without food, water or bedding.

The animals were “nearly touching the ceilings” of their cages due to a thick layer of compacted faeces, urine and soiled straw.

Robertson pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to causing 14 guinea pigs to suffer and two further offences were proven in her absence.

RSPCA Inspector Clare Wilson, who led the investigation for the animal welfare charity, found multiple guinea pigs contained within two plastic indoor type cages within a garden shed at Robertson’s property.

Bodies of two guinea pigs were also found by inspectors and a few died due to “severe emaciation”.

Inspector Wilson said: “There were ten Guinea pigs confined in one cage and nine in another. They had no food or water available and no bedding or enrichment.

“The cages were steamed up with condensation. I found six more guinea pigs in a crate in Ms Robertson’s bedroom – they had no bedding, food or water and the crate was compacted with urine and faeces.

“There was a carrier bag next to the crate containing hay but there were no remnants of hay in their crate at all.

“I also found multiple guinea pigs confined within three hutches which were too small for the numbers of animals in them.”

She continued: “Each hutch contained a thick layer of compacted faeces and urine with soiled straw built up within it. The height of the dirty bedding in two of the hutches meant the animals were nearly touching the ceilings.

“The bodies of two further guinea pigs were found and none of the hutches had any remnants of food in or any enrichment.

“The smell was horrendous. Some of the guinea pigs looked thin and some had obvious eye problems.

“After they were examined by a vet they were taken to RSPCA Great Ayton animal centre for emergency boarding.

“The staff helped us provide plenty of bedding food and water and the guinea pigs demolished the food we gave them straight away.

“Several had to have eyes removed due to trauma suffered in the crowded conditions they were living in and unfortunately a few passed away due to their severe emaciation.”

Mitigation was heard in court that Robertson had looked after animals well before this but her defence admitted she neglected the guinea pigs.

They said she had arthritis so struggled cleaning them out and admitted she lost control of the numbers due to breeding.

Following the hearing, Inspector Wilson added: “Fortunately all of the surviving guinea pigs and many more babies that were born soon after removal have found loving new homes with owners who can give them the time and care they need.”

Sentencing: four-month curfew; ordered to pay £340 in costs and charges. Banned from keeping animals for 10 years.

TeessideLive