CONVICTED (2021) | Chris Van Souwe who goes by the nickname ‘Chop’, born 24 December 1965, of Hackwood House, Hartlebury Road, Oldbury B69 1EG – left his cats to starve to death. After concerns were raised to the RSPCA, inspectors found two dead cats at Christian Van Souwe’s home in Oldbury in 2019 as well as an alive but emaciated cat called Abbarth. A vet determined the two deceased cats, named Homer and Azrael, had died from a starvation-induced disease. RSPCA inspectors also found black foam in vomit passed by Abbarth as well as bite marks in a mat found inside the home. Inspectors concluded the cat had likely been eating the mat because there was no other food available. Surviving cat Abbarth was badly emaciated but recovered in the RSPCA’s care. At Dudley Magistrates’ Court on August 11, 2021, two counts of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal on or before March 2019 were proved in Van Souwe’s absence. The charges stated that Van Souwe knew, or ought reasonably to have known, that his failure to ensure the cats were provided with a sustainable diet would cause them unnecessary suffering. In mitigation, it was said that Van Souwe was experiencing mental health issues and that his partner was suffering from ill health and was in hospital. RSPCA Inspector Vicki Taylor, who investigated the case on behalf of the animal welfare charity, said: “Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, it is the duty of the person responsible for an animal to ensure its welfare needs are met, including its need for a suitable diet, and its need to be protected from pain, suffering, injury and disease. “The suffering endured by these cats could have been avoided by the owner taking reasonable steps to ensure fresh food and water was offered daily to the cats.” She added: “Pieces of black foam matting were seen in vomit passed by Abbarth. The irregular edges and bite marks present in the foam suggested the pieces had been chewed off a larger foam mat, of which the material is inedible and has no nutritional value. “It is possible this material was ingested due to a lack of alternative food sources. “Veterinary findings from all three cats were supportive of the owner failing to provide adequate nutrition, resulting in the emaciation of Abbarth, and the deaths of Homer and Azrael through starvation and starvation-induced disease.” Abbarth has since recovered and has been found a new home by the RSPCA. Sentencing: ten weeks in prison, suspended for 18 months; 24 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days; £615 in costs and charges. Lifetime ban on keeping animals but can appeal after five years. BirminghamLive