West Midland woman banned from owning pets for 10 years after the RSPCA finds cats starving in her home
A woman from Lye, near Stourbridge, who abandoned her starving cats has been banned from keeping animals for ten years.
Tina Cottam was found guilty of an animal welfare offence, following an investigation and prosecution by the RSPCA.
The animal welfare charity’s rescuers were called to an address in Claycroft Place in Lye in Stourbridge after concerns were raised about the welfare of cats after their owner had moved out of the property.
Seven live cats were found in dirty conditions, with the bodies of eight dead cats found hidden in a freezer.
RSPCA Inspector Fiona Howell, who investigated for the charity, said: “The flat was messy and there was excrement all over the floors.
"When I got wet cat food out, seven all ran towards me appearing hungry and underweight.
"I then proceeded to check if there were any other cats and found several dead cats in the freezer.
"There were six kittens deceased all together in a box, and an older kitten and an adult cat.”
The cats were taken into the care of the RSPCA and rushed for urgent veterinary treatment.
The vet, who examined cats, said in their report: “All cats had poor to very poor body condition scores.
"They all were ravenously hungry to the point where, during presentation, they frantically attempted to get to food as soon as they smelled it.
"They ate the food offered very hungrily and were looking for more.
"I believe that the period of inadequate nutrition would have been at least 6 to 8 weeks before presentation, possibly longer for these cats.”
Alongside the ten year ban from keeping animals, which she can not appeal to have lifted for five years, Cottam, 35, was sentenced to 12 weeks custody, suspended for one year, and ordered to carry out 15 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days.
She was also fined £250 and must pay a £114 victim surcharge.
In mitigation, Cottam, who said she has experienced domestic violence, claimed she had paid a friend to look after the cats but did not provide any evidence to support this.
The seven surviving cats were signed over into the care of the RSPCA for rehoming after their recovery.
RSPCA Inspector Howell said: “Owners have a duty and responsibility to ensure the needs of their animals are met, this includes making sure they have a suitable diet and appropriate care to help them stay healthy.
“There is never an excuse to abandon animals. Their lives and welfare matter too.
"If any owner is struggling to care for their pets because of their own personal circumstances, we’d encourage them to reach out for help, rather than simply walking away without a second thought.”
