Bradford woman banned from keeping animals after pets found living in filth
Five dogs and two cats were rescued by the RSPCA
A woman from Bradford has been banned from keeping animals for life after five dogs and two cats were found living in deplorable conditions at her home.
Nicole Stoker, 45, of Moorhouse Avenue, admitted failing to meet the needs of the pets at Bradford Magistrates Court on November 27.
The RSPCA attended her property in April this year, after a call to their cruelty hotline.
RSPCA Inspector Rebecca Goulding said: “(Stoker) advised me that there were five dogs and two cats living in the property; that they were all kept in separate rooms, and that the rooms were unsanitary."
"In the living room, it was not possible to see the original flooring for faeces, both fresh and mouldy. There were scratch marks on doors, damage to plaster, and rubbish strewn throughout."
"The kitchen was ankle-deep in faeces in places, with dog food bags covered in excrement providing bedding for the animals. The kitchen surfaces were also covered in faeces."
"Upstairs, the bathroom floor had been ripped up and faeces were piled with a garden shovel against the sink. Other areas including bedrooms were similarly soiled with rubbish and excrement."
All of the pets were confined to separate rooms.
Magistrates deemed the offending to fall under the highest category of animal welfare breaches, which would typically result in a prison sentence.
However Stoker was given a three-month prison term, suspended for 12 months, alongside 10 days of rehabilitation. She was ordered to pay £250 in costs and a £154 Victim Surcharge.
Stoker admitted in her interview that the pets had not been walked for months and that living conditions had deteriorated over a six-month period.
In mitigation, it was argued that Stoker had been overwhelmed by the number of animals she owned and had been struggling emotionally after suffering a miscarriage.
The RSPCA rescued the seven animals, but two dogs – Albus and Cookie – had to be put down due to behavioural issues caused by poor socialisation.
The others are recovering: Nala has been rehomed, Sky will be available for adoption soon, and the two cats, Shadow and Stitch, are looking for a new home together.