Banned for life: Pet owner left cats and dogs to live in squalid flat
[gallery] A woman who left cats and dogs to live in 'squalid and filthy' conditions has been banned from owning animals for life.
RSPCA officers raided Stacey Rawling's flat in West Bromwich where they found two dogs and eight cats living amongst piles of rubbish and faeces. Many had no access to food or water.
A dead cat was also found at the Montgomery Walk property in the February 15 raid.
She told police that she 'occasionally walked the dogs' but they 'spent most of their time' shut in the rooms at the flat which she had not cleaned for two months.
Rawling, aged 31, pleaded guilty to ensuring the needs of animals were not met under the Animal Welfare Act at Birmingham Magistrates Court yesterday.
Rawling told investigators that she had been struggling and admitted she was unable to cope.
As well as the life long animal ban, she was also handed a six week prison sentence suspended for 12 months.
She must also pay £680 in court costs.
