Man whose pets 'left to die' jailed

Nine pets belonging to Jamie Lismore were "left to die" having been without food and water for at least one week, Walsall magistrates were told. Three kittens aged just two weeks were found dead at the 24-year-old's home in The Avenue, Darlaston, while another young cat died despite the best efforts of RSPCA personnel to save it.

The young cats had become trapped in the kitchen alongside their three-year-old mother Maddie who had been so neglected she was rated as one on the body condition scoring system – which means emaciated.

Two of the kittens were dismembered, one dead and another was in such a bad way it had to be put down.

With the help of police, RSPCA inspector Deborah Scotcher managed to get inside the property on July 9 last year, where the animals appeared hungry and thirsty and dog faeces was all over the hallway floor.

When assessed by vets the highest body score rating was three out of five for labrador, Major, who was around a year-old, while black and white collie Minstral, aged two, and tan mastiff cross-breed Duke, around eight months, rated just two. A three-month old cat called Patrick was also found.

It was only then the other cats, in the kitchen, were seen. Vets could not confirm if the kittens had died of starvation or were stillborn.

Lismore, who has since moved to Witton Lane, West Bromwich, yesterday admitted three charges of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal and two of being a person responsible for an animal to ensure its welfare.

Mr Nick Sutton, prosecuting for the RSPCA, said: "This was a grave situation of abandonment."

Mr Rob Perry, defending, said Lismore who works for a steel company had been through a relationship breakdown at the time and was not regularly staying at the property. He said: "He is regretful and deeply sorry."

Lismore was told to serve 17 weeks in prison and disqualified from keeping any animals for 25 years.