Woman banned from keeping pets for life
Lifetime animal ban for woman who left her pets to suffer
Underweight animals were rescued from unsuitable conditions after a woman who admitted animal welfare offences has been banned from keeping animals for life. One of the animals as since been euthanised. Fiona Hillary Chester, 60yrs, of Meadow Road, Coventry, was also sentenced to a 20 week suspended prison sentence, following an investigation and prosecution by the RPSCA.
Eleven dogs and a chicken were taken into possession by police and placed in the care of the RSPCA. They were taken to the charity’s Birmingham Animal Hospital where they were examined by a veterinary surgeon.
Concerns about the welfare of pets at Chester’s home were reported to the animal welfare charity who visited the address and uncovered animals living in unsuitable conditions, some with untreated health conditions, and many severely underweight.
The dogs, who were rescued, suffered fur loss, eye discharge and were soiled in their own waste.
The vet’s report concluded that the animals did not have their needs met. This was due to failure to provide a suitable diet, environment, and failure to protect them from pain, suffering, injury, and disease.
RSPCA Inspector Vicki Taylor, who investigated for the charity, said:
“Animals deserve to live healthy lives in appropriate surroundings with the right care. They are reliant on owners to be given everything they need to survive, including vet care when they need help."
“We’d plead to anyone who is struggling to cope with the care of their pets to reach out and ask for the help they need."
In mitigation, the court heard that Chester, a former bank manager, had owned dogs all her life and had no previous convictions. She was said to be struggling with depression and personal relationships at the time.
The surviving dogs gained weight and recovered well while in the care of the RSPCA and were rehomed.