Wednesfield widow must rehome 13 cats or face £20,000 fine

A widow at the centre of a row over dozens of cats at her Black Country home has been ordered to get rid of 13 pets – or face a £20,000 fine.

Jane Bood from Wednesfield has been told all but five of the 18 cats she keeps have to be rehomed after neighbours complained of smells and dirt. Wolverhampton City Council asked her to cut back on the 27 cats she had at her home in Lower Prestwood Road last year.

The 64-year-old says she has done this and has 18 but neighbours say they have seen litters of kittens. She faces a potential £20,000 fine if she does not act within two months.

A 50-name petition calling for action was submitted to the council last year.