Ten-year ban for Staffordshire owner who left ferrets and dogs caged in filth among mummified remains

A court heard that when a neighbour of Edward Stuart-Thompson discovered the animals in a deserted farm building in South Staffordshire she was physically sick from the overwhelming stench.

Seven ferrets, eight birds and a rabbit were found dead in the room, all too decomposed for RSPCA inspectors to carry out post mortems on them. The 41-year-old has now been banned from keeping pets for 10 years. He is already serving a ban preventing him from keeping water fowl and domestic birds, magistrates heard.

A neighbour reported his concerns after visiting Camp Farm in High Onn, near Wheaton Aston, last August.

RSPCA inspector Dawn Burrell found the ferrets and one of the dogs in cramped conditions in small, travel-type cages. The second terrier was tethered.

She reported a nauseating smell from excrement which covered the floor almost entirely, Cannock Magistrates Court heard.

Rotting birds, including a duck and a pheasant, were inside some of the cages.

Mr Roger Price, prosecuting for the RSPCA, said the two Jack Russells appeared bright and alert but were 'on the thin side of normal'.There were two buckets of dry food containing provisions for up to five days and some dirty water.

Mr Price said: "They were at risk of disease and psychological damage because of the conditions they were left in."

The three living ferrets were in hutches covered in faeces and were underweight although not emaciated, the court heard.

In the same room, five mummified ferrets and two mummified birds were found behind a bucket. A vet estimated the animals had not been cleaned out for at least seven to 10 days.

Stuart-Thompson said the caged terrier had been stolen and must have been put there by someone else. However he had not reported the animal stolen, the court heard.

Rupert Jones, defending him, said: "He is completely ignorant of how animals should be kept in modern society.

Stuart-Thompson, of Sowdley Green, Wheaton Aston, pleaded guilty to five charges of failing to ensure the welfare of the animals. He was also handed a court bill for £1,078 and put on a two-year community order with supervision. The court ordered the RSPCA also take possession of the three spaniels and two cats he keeps at his home.