Woman gets 15-year ban from keeping animals after dogs and cat found in urine-covered house
A woman has been banned from keeping all animals for 15 years after a dog and three cats were found living in a squalid house in the West Midlands.
Karen Cresswell, 48, of Bamville Road, Birmingham, pleaded guilty to two animal welfare offences when she appeared before Birmingham Magistrates Court.
The court heard how the RSPCA were called to the address on July 16 after reports there were pets in the property kept in poor conditions and concerns for their health.
The house was found to be dirty, cluttered with animal faeces and with a floor covered in urine. There were litter trays positioned around the home but all were full and brimming over with faeces.
In the living room she found a sleeping elderly bull-terrier-cross dog called Sheba who appeared very weak. She had fur loss around the eyes and on her back due to an untreated skin condition and a large cyst hanging from underneath her. Sheba also had long nails suggesting she had not been exercised and when Louise carried her into her van she was clearly arthritic.
Two cats, called Teddy and Venus, were also found at the property and, along with Sheba, were taken to the RSPCA’s Newbrook Animal Centre. The other cat was out of the property at the time and has since been rehomed.
Animal rescuer Inspector Louise Marston, who attended the house, said: “The general conditions of the house were clearly unsuitable for these pets and they were taken into our care. The house was full of clutter with animal faeces and urine covering the floors.
“A vet concluded that the cats were in good health but there were multiple health issues detected with Sheba that she was in a suffering state.
“Sheba was taken to the animal hospital for immediate treatment and has since been rehomed into foster care where she is making great progress with on-going medication.
“Teddy and Venus were immediately bathed as the unpleasant smell of the property was on their fur. They were then taken to the Burton and district branch of the RSPCA where they will be available for rehoming soon.
In sentencing Cresswell, at the hearing on January 21, magistrate’s said there was a “high level of suffering” which they said was evident in “the dreadful condition the dog is in in the photographs”.
In mitigation the court heard Cresswell has suffered a recent bereavement.
As well as a ban on keeping animals for 15 years, Cresswell was also given a two-year probation order and must attend a Rehabilitation Activity Requirement for 30 days. She was also fined £80 and ordered to pay a £34 victim surcharge.
