A Scots woman has been banned from owning animals for ten years after animal welfare inspectors discovered she was keeping dogs, cats and other animals in "filthy" conditions.
Patricia Steven, 53, from Cardenden in Fife, was found to have housed 11 cats - some of them young kittens - among exposed insulation in a loft with an open hatch. The felines were "scratching themselves incessantly" and were "distressed", according to Scottish SPCA inspectors.
Steven, who has also been handed a 108-day tagging order, also left an elderly black Labrador and a Staffordshire bull terrier to forage for themselves among dirty bin bags. The black Lab, named Shadow, has since been euthanised on welfare grounds, while Cordy the Staffy has been rehomed.
The abusive animal owner tried to prevent welfare officers from entering her home in November 2020 after the Scottish SPCA received several tip-offs about the woeful conditions Steven was keeping her pets in.
After securing a warrant, inspectors and police officers entered her house and found the kittens in "very unsafe" conditions. They found the dogs lying among rubbish bags, with clear signs of malnutrition in both -- and discovered a severely underweight coral snake living in a makeshift den inside a living room cabinet.
The animals were immediately removed from the property. Vets later confirmed the dogs had severe flea infestations and ear infections, while Shadow also had eye infections in both eyes.
The cats were so severely infested with fleas that some had scabs and hair loss from being incessantly bitten. One was later found to have a serious heart murmur.
Steven went on to appear at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court on Tuesday October 18, where she was sentenced under charges of failing to provide a safe environment for the cats and failing to meet the needs of the snake.
The Scottish SPCA has welcomed her conviction and the subsequent ban on keeping animals.
Scottish SPCA inspector Stephanie Ross said, “We are pleased that Steven has been banned from owning or keeping animals for 10 years and received a restriction of liberty order. The issues her pets were suffering from could have been easily prevented and we hope she’ll carefully consider her ability to care for any animal in future.
“Sadly, Shadow had to be euthanised on welfare grounds, but Cordy and the 11 cats have since gone on to find new homes. Our thanks go to Police Scotland for their assistance. If anyone is concerned about an animal, they can contact our confidential animal helpline on 03000 999 999.”
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