Warwickshire woman banned from keeping animals for ten years
50 year old Marion Merriman from Rugby had rabbits in 'filthy' conditions
A Warwickshire woman's been banned from keeping any animals for 10 years, after she failed to meet the needs of six rabbits who were found by the RSPCA in 'filthy and unsuitable conditions'.
50 year old Marion Merriman, from Bond Street in Rugby, admitted an offence under the Animal Welfare Act and been sentenced at Coventry Magistrates’ Court.
The court heard that she failed to provide adequate nutrition for the rabbits; failed to ensure they were provided with fresh, clean drinking water at all times, by confining them to an environment that was inappropriate and filthy, contaminated with urine and faeces; failed to provide veterinary treatment as required; failed to protect them from pain, disease and suffering; and failed to allow them to exhibit normal behaviour patterns.
As well as the banning order, Merriman has been sentenced to a 12 month community order with 20 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days and 150 hours of unpaid work.
She's also been ordered to pay costs of £350 and a £114 victim surcharge.
The rabbits were discovered and seized in August last year, and taken to RSPCA Birmingham Animal Hospital for examination.
In a vet report, presented to the court, the six rabbits all being described as underweight or very underweight.
Some of them had urine and faecal stained feet and were hungry and thirsty.
The report stated: “No food or water was available to the rabbits. All rabbits were hungry and thirsty on arrival. All rabbits bar one gained a healthy amount of weight in a short amount of time with adequate feeding measures only. Judging by their poor body condition these rabbits suffered hunger and thirst due to the insufficient food and water provision for at least 2-3 weeks.
“The rabbits were kept in small wooden hutches inside a shed. Reportedly the air quality inside the shed was poor due to lack of ventilation and unclean conditions inside the hutches.
“The hutches contained a large amount of faecal matter and the small amount of wood shaving was dirty and wet in places with urine. Wood shavings are wholly inadequate as rabbit bedding.”
One of the rabbits was also found to have an “obvious head tilt” and sadly the rabbit was euthanised due to an uncertain prognosis.
The other rabbits went to RSPCA Birmingham Animal Centre to be rehomed.
Following sentencing RSPCA Inspector Jon Ratcliffe said: “It is the owner’s legal responsibility to properly look after any animals in their care. These poor rabbits were found in wholly unsuitable conditions and did not have their needs met in several ways.
“For those who find themselves struggling, there are many reputable animal welfare charities who can offer help and advice and we encourage anybody in a difficult situation to seek support.”