CHRISTIAN VAN SOUWE'S CRUELTY IN OLDBURY: CATS LEFT TO STARVE AND SUFFER

In the quiet town of Oldbury, a disturbing case of animal neglect came to light involving Christian Van Souwe, a resident of Hackwood House on Hartlebury Road. Known locally by the nickname 'Chop', Van Souwe was found responsible for the tragic suffering and death of two cats, as well as the severe neglect of a third feline companion.

Concerns about the welfare of Van Souwe’s pets prompted an investigation by the RSPCA in 2019. When inspectors arrived at his residence, they discovered a heartbreaking scene: two cats, Homer and Azrael, had succumbed to starvation and died from a disease directly linked to malnutrition. The inspectors also found an injured but still alive cat named Abbarth, who was severely emaciated and in a critical state.

Veterinary examinations confirmed that Homer and Azrael had died from starvation-related illnesses, highlighting the neglect they endured. The surviving cat, Abbarth, was found to have vomited black foam, which contained pieces of chewed foam matting. The presence of bite marks and irregular edges on the foam suggested that Abbarth had been gnawing on the inedible material, likely due to a lack of proper food sources. The inspectors observed that the cat’s condition was dire, with severe weight loss, but thankfully, Abbarth was able to recover after receiving care from the RSPCA.

During a court hearing at Dudley Magistrates’ Court on August 11, 2021, Van Souwe was tried in absentia and found guilty of two counts of causing unnecessary suffering to animals, with the incidents occurring on or before March 2019. The charges detailed that Van Souwe either knew or should have reasonably known that his failure to provide adequate nutrition would result in suffering for his cats. The court heard that Van Souwe’s mental health issues and his partner’s ill health, which required hospitalization, were presented as mitigating circumstances.

RSPCA Inspector Vicki Taylor, who led the investigation, emphasized the legal responsibilities of pet owners under the Animal Welfare Act 2006. She stated, “It is the duty of the person responsible for an animal to ensure its welfare needs are met, including providing a suitable diet and protecting it from pain, suffering, injury, and disease. The suffering endured by these cats could have been avoided if the owner had taken reasonable steps to offer fresh food and water daily.”

Inspector Taylor further explained that the vomit of Abbarth contained pieces of black foam matting, which appeared to have been chewed off from a larger foam mat. The irregular edges and bite marks indicated that the material was ingested, likely due to the absence of proper food. Veterinary findings supported the conclusion that Van Souwe’s neglect led to the severe emaciation of Abbarth and the deaths of Homer and Azrael through starvation and starvation-induced disease.

Following the investigation, Abbarth was rescued and placed in a new home arranged by the RSPCA. In sentencing, Van Souwe received a ten-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, along with 24 days of Rehabilitation Activity Requirement. He was also ordered to pay £615 in costs and charges. Additionally, Van Souwe is subject to a lifetime ban on keeping animals, although he has the right to appeal this restriction after five years.