CONVICTED (2022) | breeder Natalie Victoria Scott, born November 1983, of 1 Langley Farm Cottages, Langley Green, Feering, Colchester CO5 9RL – kept 37 dogs and a pony in squalor.
Scott kept dogs, puppies and a pony in tiny rooms stinking of faeces and urine – with some dogs packed inside cramped, soiled crates.
Police officers, along with the RSPCA, Braintree District Council and vets secured a warrant to raid the home in Feering on April 9, 2021, following concerns that animals were being kept in vile conditions inside the property.
Once inside, officers found dogs and puppies and the pony, which were seized and taken into the care of the RSPCA.
A police spokesman said: “The dogs were being kept in a room which smelt strongly of urine and faeces and were stacked in small, heavily soiled crates which were barely big enough to stand or turn around in. Some of them were puppies in pairs making even less space for them in those inadequate crates.
“The pony was described by an independent vet as having ‘very poor body condition’ which ‘would have made it feel lethargic, cold and depressed’. “
It was previously reported that seven puppies were found dead and one dog had to be put down at the scene.
Scott was arrested on suspicion of a number of animal welfare offences. She subsequently admitted causing unnecessary suffering by being neglectful and failing to ensure the welfare of 33 dogs.
The surviving animals were either rehomed or placed with the RSPCA.
Sentencing | two-year community order with 220 hours of unpaid work. Disqualified from owning all animals for ten years but may appeal after eight years.
Essex Live
Braintree and Witham Times
Update | March 2023
Scott was jailed for four months after admitting failing to attend her unpaid work and a meeting with the probation service.
She was also resentenced for an historic assault.
