Cambridgeshire woman banned from owning animals after starving cats and kittens

CAMBRIDGESHIRE WOMAN BANNED FROM OWNING ANIMALS AFTER STARVING CATS AND KITTENS

A woman from Cambridgeshire has been banned indefinitely from owning animals after leaving nine cats and kittens in filthy conditions, one of which was found dead.

Amy Roxby, 30, of Mallard Close, Ramsey, appeared at Cambridge Magistrates’ Court on 9th December where she pleaded guilty to an offence under Section 9 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

She received a 16-week suspended prison sentence.

RSPCA Animal Rescue Officer Maya Thakrar attended Roxby’s property on 31st October 2024 after reports of malnourished cats.

Thakrar said: “I was immediately struck by a strong smell of faeces and urine, as well as many flies making their way out of the kitchen.

When looking down after opening the door, there were the remains of a small pale ginger kitten that was missing body parts.

The dead kitten was surrounded by live cats and kittens walking over the body to attempt to leave the kitchen, piles of dirty clothing, household rubbish and food wrappers which had been torn and scratched open.” The officer reported that there was no water available and the animals appeared extremely hungry.

After providing wet food and water, she observed that many were suffering from cat flu and flea infestations.

Four adult cats and five kittens were removed from the premises, and Roxby signed them over to the RSPCA for rehabilitation and rehoming.

Veterinary examinations revealed the cats and kittens were malnourished and suffered from flea and worm infestations, anaemia, and disease.

The court ordered Roxby to pay £600 in costs and a £154 victim surcharge.

Her guilty plea was taken into account in mitigation.