A woman from South Norwood who delayed taking her underweight cat to a vets has been banned from keeping animals for 15 years after a prosecution by the RSPCA.
Sad end: the cat’s condition was so poor, vets at the PDSA had to put Stormy to sleep
Jessica Smith, 29, from Sunny Bank, pleaded guilty to two offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, one of failing to address and investigate the weight loss of a cat called Stormy and the other of failing to seek treatment for the cat’s urine scalds.
The defendant appeared for sentencing earlier this month, when Magistrates also imposed a 12-week jail sentence, suspended for 12 months.
The court was told that Smith eventually took Stormy to a PDSA Animal Hospital on April 10 last year, although the cat’s health had been a concern for two to three weeks previously.
The black and white cat was so unwell that a vet decided that they had to put him to sleep.
RPSCA Inspector Harriet Daliday said in a statement to the court: “Stormy was extremely underweight with no obvious fat. All his ribs, hips and his spine could be easily felt and his rear paws had raw open lesions on the pads of the feet.”
Smith said the cat had been off his food for two weeks and was having problems toileting.
By the time he arrived at the PDSA Hospital he was barely able to hold his head up. His body condition score was one out of nine, which is classed as emaciation, and he had urine scalds on his back legs.
The defendant told a vet at the hospital that she was advised to syringe feed the cat. It was said that though she felt Stormy did need to see a vet “she did not have the financial capabilities to make it happen”.
A vet concluded that Stormy had suffered for a prolonged period of at least three months. “The defendant failed to take reasonable steps to seek veterinary care for her cat and protect him from pain, suffering and disease,” they said.
The court was told the defendant was remorseful and that she had been unable to financially support three children and a sick cat while she was pregnant with a fourth child.
The Magistrates ordered Smith to pay court costs of £300.
“We’d urge pet owners to act swiftly and get prompt veterinary advice if their pet is showing any signs of ill health,” Inspector Daliday said.
“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.”
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