North Yorkshire woman given animal ban for neglecting seven cats and 14 birds
The animals were found in filthy conditions in a bungalow last Christmas Eve
A woman who failed to meet the needs of seven pedigree cats and 14 aviary birds who were living in squalid conditions at her bungalow in North Yorkshire has been disqualified from keeping animals for five years.
Janice Lawson was handed the ban at a sentencing hearing at Teesside Magistrates Court on 9th September. She had pleaded guilty to three offences contrary to the Animal Welfare Act at an earlier date.
The court was told that an RSPCA Inspector went to the bungalow at Byland Place, Northallerton, on 21st December 2024 after concerns were raised about animals living there. The door was answered by Lawson who confirmed she was the occupant at the address but was just on her way out of the property and that ‘all her cats were fine’.
In his written statement to the court the RSPCA Inspector said: “When the door was fully opened there were a large amount of flies present in the address and there were faeces on the floor of the property. I could then see three Siamese type cats within an animal crate and sat amongst faeces. One in particular caused me concern due to the fact it had an obvious eye infection.
“On being invited into the property the smell was disgusting and I saw another cream-coloured siamese type cat and upon touching this cat by hand, it was very underweight.
“I contacted North Yorkshire Police asking for assistance. Police attended and also accessed the house. It was found to be cluttered with rubbish and clothing and I found seven cats inside. They all appeared to be in poor bodily condition and some looked to have eye infections.
“The house smelt so strongly of ammonia that at times it took my breath away and I went outside for some fresh air.”
Enquiries by the RSPCA Inspector revealed that a cat who Lawson said she had taken to a vet to be put to sleep previously was already dead when she arrived at the practice and was described by staff as "emaciated."
A further two cats who initially could not be caught at the property, as well as 14 birds including two budgerigars, five kakariki and seven cockatiels living in dirty cages, were also subsequently removed by the police and the RSPCA.
The vet who examined the animals said six of the seven oriental type cats were emaciated and she gave them the lowest body condition score of 1/5. Their ribs, pelvic bones and vertebrae were easily felt and they all had ocular discharges and unpleasant odours in their mouths.
The thinnest adult male weighed just 1.5 kg (3.30 pounds), whereas a cat of his age and breed should have been over 4kg (8.81 pounds), said the vet.
Many of the birds had damaged tail feathers and overgrown claws. Their cages were filthy with a heavy build up of droppings and spent seed. The water present was dirty and there were minimal perching areas or enrichment.
The vet said the cats had been suffering for at least one month because Lawson had failed to give them enough food. They had not been protected from disease and neither them or the birds had been provided with an adequate environment.
All of the cats quickly put on weight in the days and months that followed with the appropriate care, the court heard.
Lawson, who in mitigation was said to have mental and physical health issues, was also given a two-year Community Order to include 30 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement Days and ordered to pay a £114 victim surcharge and costs of £300.
District Judge Marie Mallan said she did not feel that Lawson was completely beyond rehabilitation in terms of her attitude towards animals, hence the five year disqualification order which she cannot apply to have lifted within this time.
The cats were all signed over by Lawson and some have already been rehomed by the RSPCA.
Hatchi, Aubrey and Bailey (pictured above) are currently being cared for by the RSPCA’s York, Harrogate & District Branch. They are closely bonded and will need an indoor home together. Also looking for a new home is three-legged Bolt who is being cared for by the charity’s Cumbria West Branch.
The birds were all rehomed by the RSPCA’s West Hatch Wildlife Centre in Taunton, apart from four Kakariki who are being cared for at a private establishment on behalf of the RSPCA.