ANGELA TENNANT FROM WORTLEY SENTENCED AFTER FLEA-INFESTED KITTENS SUFFER AND DIE
| Red Rose Database
Wortley Animal Abuser
In a distressing case that highlights the importance of responsible pet ownership, Angela Tennant, a backyard kitten breeder from Wortley, Leeds, was found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to multiple animals. Born around 1967 and residing on Waveney Road, Tennant's neglect led to the tragic death of three kittens due to a severe and untreated flea infestation.
On the dates between July 1 and July 14, 2015, Tennant failed to provide adequate care for her animals, which included five kittens and an adult female cat. The neglect was so severe that the kittens were found to be crawling with fleas, a condition that can be fatal, especially for young and vulnerable animals. When the RSPCA arrived at her property, they discovered one of the kittens had already collapsed, exhibiting signs of extreme weakness and distress. Despite efforts to revive her at the veterinary clinic, the kitten was deemed beyond saving and was euthanized to end her suffering.
The inspector from the RSPCA, Rachel Evans, described the scene as heartbreaking. She explained, “It was clear to anyone that these kittens were very poorly indeed, as was the adult cat, their mother. One of the kittens was collapsed, listless and gasping for breath when I got there, and although she was placed on oxygen at the vets there was nothing that could be done other than to put her to sleep to end her suffering.”
Evans further detailed the severity of the flea infestation, stating, “The kittens were literally crawling with fleas. When the vet put flea treatment on their bodies, the fleas were trying to escape it by running up their noses, in their eyes and ears. Fleas suck blood which causes the animals they infest to become anaemic. This is particularly dangerous for young animals, they literally suck the life out of them.”
Only two of the kittens, both larger and stronger male kittens, along with a female named Tilly, survived the ordeal. The remaining three kittens succumbed to the neglect, and the adult cat was also affected by the poor conditions. The court heard that Tennant had previously experienced a similar situation with a litter of kittens from Tilly the previous year, all of whom had either died or had to be euthanized under comparable circumstances.
Rachel Evans emphasized that this pattern of neglect was entirely preventable. “This situation was entirely preventable, in fact it was the second time it had happened which is inexcusable. Flea treatment is part of every responsible pet owner’s routine and if what you’re using isn’t working you take them to the vets. Severe flea infestations can kill, as happened here more than once.”
Following her conviction, Tennant’s surviving animals, including Tilly and the two healthy kittens, were rehomed to new families. The court sentenced her to 100 hours of unpaid community work, ordered her to pay £750 in costs, and disqualified her from keeping animals for a period of one year, which expired in 2017.
On the dates between July 1 and July 14, 2015, Tennant failed to provide adequate care for her animals, which included five kittens and an adult female cat. The neglect was so severe that the kittens were found to be crawling with fleas, a condition that can be fatal, especially for young and vulnerable animals. When the RSPCA arrived at her property, they discovered one of the kittens had already collapsed, exhibiting signs of extreme weakness and distress. Despite efforts to revive her at the veterinary clinic, the kitten was deemed beyond saving and was euthanized to end her suffering.
The inspector from the RSPCA, Rachel Evans, described the scene as heartbreaking. She explained, “It was clear to anyone that these kittens were very poorly indeed, as was the adult cat, their mother. One of the kittens was collapsed, listless and gasping for breath when I got there, and although she was placed on oxygen at the vets there was nothing that could be done other than to put her to sleep to end her suffering.”
Evans further detailed the severity of the flea infestation, stating, “The kittens were literally crawling with fleas. When the vet put flea treatment on their bodies, the fleas were trying to escape it by running up their noses, in their eyes and ears. Fleas suck blood which causes the animals they infest to become anaemic. This is particularly dangerous for young animals, they literally suck the life out of them.”
Only two of the kittens, both larger and stronger male kittens, along with a female named Tilly, survived the ordeal. The remaining three kittens succumbed to the neglect, and the adult cat was also affected by the poor conditions. The court heard that Tennant had previously experienced a similar situation with a litter of kittens from Tilly the previous year, all of whom had either died or had to be euthanized under comparable circumstances.
Rachel Evans emphasized that this pattern of neglect was entirely preventable. “This situation was entirely preventable, in fact it was the second time it had happened which is inexcusable. Flea treatment is part of every responsible pet owner’s routine and if what you’re using isn’t working you take them to the vets. Severe flea infestations can kill, as happened here more than once.”
Following her conviction, Tennant’s surviving animals, including Tilly and the two healthy kittens, were rehomed to new families. The court sentenced her to 100 hours of unpaid community work, ordered her to pay £750 in costs, and disqualified her from keeping animals for a period of one year, which expired in 2017.