A woman who failed to get vet treatment for her cat who was suffering from dental disease and an ear infection has been banned from keeping animals for five years.
Frances Lambourne, 60, of Queens Lodge, Third Avenue, Margate, pleaded guilty to two offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and appeared for sentencing at Folkestone Magistrates Court on September 5.
As well as the disqualification, the defendant was placed on a community order for 12 months under which she will have to complete 100 hours of unpaid work.
Ms Lambourne owned a black male cat called Panther who was found outside her former home at Downs Road, Canterbury, on March 28 last year by RSPCA Inspector Grace Harris-Bridge, who was investigating after a member of the public reported an underweight cat to the charity’s cruelty line.
The cat was sitting outside the block of flats and smelt very strongly of infection, to such an extent that the inspector said in a statement to the court that she “smelt the cat before she saw him”.
“I recognised the cat from a previous visit in 2022 when I issued an Animal Welfare Assessment notice to the owner,” added the RSPCA inspector.
“The cat appeared very underweight with his hips, spine, pelvis and ribs visible and very prominent.”
A check with neighbours revealed the owner had moved out from her property, so the inspector took the cat for urgent veterinary treatment after which Kent Police took possession of him.
A vet report stated Panther would have been suffering with toothache because of the dental disease for at least five months, and he also had a flea infestation and an ear inflammation. He was treated with painkillers and given flea and worm treatment, after which he made a good recovery and will be rehomed by the animal charity.
In mitigation, the court was told Lambourne had not been able to afford vet treatment because she was on a low income and she was remorseful.
The defendant also has to pay court costs of £100 and a victim surcharge of £154.
Well that told her ,a five year ban ,that’s hard core stuff ,what a waste of court time and money, give a proper sentence or don’t bother.
Cruelty to companion animals is still far too common. Nobody should seek a cat or dog unless they can pay for food and any veterinary treatment. Organisations like the PDSA do their best and in Thanet we have our own very wonderful “CATS IN CRISIS” but these organisations are stretched to breaking point. A caring society should have widescale spaying and neutering services free for use to reduce the number of unwanted and feral animals. This case again highlights the total unsuitability of some folk to understand the requirements of companion animals.
Whilst this woman was,quite rightly ,found guilty of animal cruelty,Paedo Huw Edwards received a lesser punishment.
Hopefully,she will realise that she cannot afford to keep an animal and will refrain from doing so,for the rest of her life.
It would have been better if the lady had asked a local cat charity to take the cat off her when she realised she could not afford to look after it. Mind you don’t let’s get too emotional the facts are RSPCA Put down more animals than they ever save, they could of put this poor cat out of its misery but instead choose to pursue this lady through the courts not for the benefit of the cat but for the (advertising) of the RSPCA. If any animal is mistreated in any way whatsoever it should be the police who deal with it.
If you can’t afford to look after a pet properly, don’t have one!
What should you do if you can’t afford heat or food?
Cruelty to and neglect of animals deserves a life ban. Five years is a joke.
Such a sad story. Seems like the cat came out of it a lot better than the 60 year old woman who couldn’t afford to keep the cat.
“I recognised the cat from a previous visit in 2022 when I issued an Animal Welfare Assessment notice to the owner,” added the RSPCA inspector……………SO WHY WAS THIS NOT FOLLOWED UP?????????? WHY WAS THIS NOT FOLLOWED UP FROM 2022.