Tina Cottam, aged 35, of Lye, near Stourport, Worcestershire, has been sentenced to a suspended prison term and disqualified from keeping animals for 10 years after being found guilty of animal cruelty offences.
The prosecution followed an intervention by the RSPCA at Cottam’s former residence in Claycroft Place, Lye, following reports concerning animal welfare.
RSPCA Inspector Fiona Howell entered the property and discovered living spaces contaminated with cat urine and faeces.
Seven surviving cats were found inside the address in a severely underweight state.
When food was introduced, the animals reacted frantically due to extreme hunger.
During a detailed search of the premises, inspectors opened a domestic freezer and discovered the remains of eight deceased felines.
The bodies comprised six kittens stored together inside a box, an older kitten, and one adult cat.
The seven surviving cats were seized under animal welfare powers and transported to specialist veterinary facilities for urgent intervention.
Examining veterinary surgeons assessed all seven animals to be in poor or very poor bodily condition, exhibiting behaviours consistent with prolonged starvation.
Clinical findings confirmed the animals had been subjected to severe nutritional neglect for a duration of between six and eight weeks, and potentially much longer.
The surviving felines were formally signed over to the RSPCA to allow them to be rehomed.
At the sentencing hearing, the court imposed a 12-week custodial sentence, suspended for an operational period of one year.
Cottam was ordered to complete 15 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days under probation supervision, pay a fine of £250, and pay a statutory victim surcharge of £114.
Under the provisions of the Animal Welfare Act, the bench made an order disqualifying Cottam from keeping animals for a period of 10 years, specifying that no application to review or lift the disqualification may be made before five years have elapsed.
Image Credit – Anonymous Artist Impression
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