AMY RUTHERFORD OF GATESHEAD JAILED FOR NEGLECTING CATS IN 2020

Amy Rutherford, born on 12 January 1997 and residing at Coltsfoot Gardens, Gateshead NE10 9RE, was convicted in 2020 for abandoning her two cats in deplorable conditions. She had left them locked in her squalid home while she stayed with her boyfriend. Rutherford was given an indefinite ban on keeping animals after neglecting her pets for six weeks.

The cats, Lucy and Lola, nearly died of starvation after being abandoned in a dark, freezing property. In court, Rutherford pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to an animal and failing to ensure their welfare.

The court heard that Lucy was so emaciated her collar had slipped from her neck onto her hips. The RSPCA was contacted in early September 2019 after witnesses saw the distressed cats jumping at the windows of Rutherford’s house. An officer visited the property, leaving an RSPCA card and sealing the door hinges with sellotape. Despite multiple visits over the following days, the tape remained intact, indicating no one entered or exited.

Finally, police accessed the house on September 20. Prosecutor Stewart Haywood described the scene: "The conditions inside were appalling. There was a strong smell of urine and faeces, it was dark and cold. The light switches were not working, and the rooms were covered in rubbish." The court was told that bins had been scratched at by the cats, and there was no food or water in their bowls.

When found, Lucy was opening her mouth repeatedly with no sound, her pink collar wrapped around her hips. Her bones were visible, her eyes sunken, and she was suffering from hypothermia. Officers feared she had died after collapsing in her basket. Lola, in slightly better condition, was also rescued and taken to a vet, where both cats were found to be emaciated.

During interviews, Rutherford claimed she only left the cats alone for a few days and did not respond to the RSPCA’s efforts because she was busy with work. Her lawyer, John Williams, stated that Rutherford was drinking heavily at the time and suffering from secondary bipolar disorder and depression. He explained, "There’s no excuse, and she accepts that. She abandoned the cats for about six weeks. She went to stay with her boyfriend as her mental health deteriorated. She was a shop manager but had to give it up due to her condition."

District Judge Kate Meek addressed Rutherford’s neglect, saying: "You moved out because the house was cold and dark, but it’s okay for the cats to suffer because of your decision? When you took on their care, it was an agreement to look after them. They rely entirely on you, just like a small child."

She emphasized the gravity of the neglect, saying: "The pictures are distressing, and the circumstances over a prolonged period caused significant harm to both cats due to your lack of care. There is no justification or explanation for this behavior."

Rutherford was sentenced to an 18-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, along with 250 hours of unpaid work. She was also banned from keeping pets indefinitely.