Investigating officer:
RSPCA Inspector
Paula Clemence
Defendants:
Male 24, unemployed;
female 21, unemployed
Offences:
Animal Welfare Act 2006 s4
Pleas:
Guilty
Total convictions:
Two
Sentence:
Both disqualified from keeping
animals for five years; £212
costs. Male received 100 hours'
unpaid work. Female received a
three-month curfew order.
Prosecuted by:
Tierney & Co Solicitors
RSPCA Inspector Paula Clemence
rushed Paul to a vet, where he
was found to be emaciated. Paul's
spine and ribs could easily be
felt through his fur and, sadly,
the vet decided to euthanase
him on humane grounds, as his
emaciation was so advanced it
was felt he could not be saved.
His suffering had been prolonged
and he was near to death.
When interviewed, the woman
said two of her remaining cats
were registered at a veterinary
surgery, something that proved to
be untrue. The couple recognised
Paul was 'skinny' compared to
their other cats yet they had
failed to address this.
They declined to sign their three
remaining cats into the care of
the RSPCA.
Investigating officer:
RSPCA Inspector
Hayley Lawrence
Defendants:
Female 48, farmer;
female 22, farmer
Offences:
Animal Welfare Act 2006 s4
Pleas:
Not guilty
Total convictions:
Two
Sentence:
Both disqualified from keeping
cattle for seven years; £3,000
costs. Older female imprisoned
for 24 weeks. Younger female
imprisoned for 20 weeks.
Prosecuted by:
Amicus Law Solicitors
SOUTH YORKSHIRE
PERSONS
CONVICTED 28
TOTAL
CONVICTIONS 68
SOMERSET
PERSONS
CONVICTED 16
TOTAL
CONVICTIONS 25 South YorkshirePaul, a domestic shorthaired tabby cat, was found
in a collapsed state. He was cold, his gums were pale
and he was covered in fleas.
SomersetA young Friesian heifer was left with untreated calving
injuries for at least a week without any apparent care
or treatment, unable to get to her feet.
The heifer, thought to be only
between eight and 14 months
old, was found with fly-egg
infestations and maggots eating
her living tissue. There were
two empty buckets nearby
but not within her reach, one
being inappropriately small for
a cow as she was unable to
fit her nose into it. There was
some hay nearby, which she was
unable to reach.
She had suffered terrible,
unnecessary pain in the days
following her calving - her vulva
area was swollen and torn - and
she had been recumbent for a
prolonged period, resulting in
skin bruises. She could not stand,
urinate or defecate, indicating
nerve damage. A vet considered
her unlikely to recover and she was
euthanased to end her suffering.
RSPCA Inspector Hayley Lawrence
had had regular dealings with the
owners for over 22 years. Both
persistently denied they were at
fault in any way.
Paul's spine and ribs
could easily be felt
through his fur.
31
www.rspca.org.uk/prosecutions/annualreport