DIANA CURTIS OF TORRINGTON: HORROR ANIMAL CRUELTY IN DEVON AND NORTH DEVON

Diana Curtis, a woman born around 1958 and residing in Peters Marland, Torrington, has been convicted of severe animal neglect and cruelty, culminating in her recent imprisonment and lifetime ban on owning animals. Her case has drawn significant attention due to the extent of her alleged mistreatment of dozens of animals over several years, including horses, dogs, chickens, ducks, and a goat, all found living in deplorable conditions at her property in Torrington and other locations in North Devon.

In July 2022, a coordinated operation involving RSPCA inspectors, police officers, veterinary professionals, staff from the Dogs Trust, and Torridge District Council officials descended upon her residence. The scene they encountered was one of utter neglect: animals were found in squalid surroundings, many without access to adequate food, water, or veterinary care. Among the animals rescued were a stallion named Mid Morning Monkey, who was suffering from an untreated eye ulcer, and two other horses, Symphonies Secret and Summer’s Place Jessica, both diagnosed with untreated dental disease. Summer’s Place Jessica also exhibited deformed legs, swollen knees, and an uneven gait, with a veterinarian later confirming she was suffering from chronic arthritis that had been left untreated.

The stables, which housed the horses and a female goat, were filthy, strewn with faeces, soiled straw, and lacking clean bedding, hay, or water. Poultry kept in pens were found standing in filth, with dirty water and no food, and some exhibited untreated scaly leg conditions. The overall environment was described as unsuitable for any living creature, with conditions so poor that rescuers uncovered additional areas of neglect and unsanitary living arrangements.

Deputy Chief Inspector Suzy Hannaby of the RSPCA described the scene vividly: “The property was filthy and appeared to have been used as a dog kennel rather than for human habitation. The floors were bare, and the only furniture present was for storage. There were no chairs or beds for humans. The smell of ammonia was overwhelming in the downstairs area. Dog faeces, soiled straw, shavings, wooden boards, dirty dog beds, and two empty crates littered the floor. There was no food or water available for the animals.”

Following her prosecution, Curtis was convicted on eight counts, some after a trial. She received a 16-week custodial sentence, suspended for 12 months, along with a fine of £10,000 towards costs and a £154 victim surcharge. Additionally, she was handed a five-year ban on owning animals, which will remain in effect until December 2028.

Her history with animal welfare issues predates this case. In October 2010, Curtis was issued an Anti-Social Behaviour Order (ASBO) due to excessive noise from approximately 100 dogs kept at her property in Torrington. She pleaded guilty to a noise abatement offence and was fined £2,000. Despite court orders to reduce her dog numbers, police and animal welfare officers had to remove all but six of her dogs after she failed to comply. Inspector Andy Lilburn of Devon & Cornwall Police stated that there was “no suggestion of cruelty here whatsoever,” emphasizing that the dogs were “healthy, well-cared for, fed, and watered.” Curtis expressed her intention to appeal the decision but lamented that “most of the dogs will have been destroyed by the time I raise the money.”

In subsequent years, her violations continued. In December 2011, authorities seized an additional 34 dogs and 14 horses from her property after she breached her ASBO. She was only permitted to keep a maximum of six dogs. The RSPCA indicated they were considering further welfare offences and potential prosecutions at that time.

By June 2013, Curtis faced a community sentence involving 240 hours of unpaid work and a court order to pay £27,000 in costs after inspectors found her keeping 33 horses and 34 dogs in conditions described as appalling. The premises were littered with faeces and hazards, with no grazing available outside, and animals were observed eating parts of stinging nettle bushes due to lack of proper food. Photographs taken during the investigation depicted the animals living in squalor, with many suffering from injuries, scars, and infections caused by fighting or neglect.

Most recently, in June 2024, Curtis was sentenced to 25 months in prison and received a lifetime ban on owning animals after pleading guilty to cruelty charges involving 191 dogs, including puppies, found crammed into pens and crates in a remote field in Devon. She had been moving dogs between different locations in North Devon, attempting to evade detection. When authorities finally apprehended her, they discovered a chaotic scene: numerous dogs living in dirt under tarpaulin sheets behind fencing and in the back of a lorry, many in cramped conditions with little access to water or shelter. Several animals were so severely neglected that they had to be euthanized, including two dogs with infected wounds and scars, and three puppies that died due to their poor health.

Inspectors reported that many of the dogs were found standing on top of each other, fighting for limited resources. The investigation revealed that Curtis had been repeatedly neglecting her animals despite previous warnings and convictions. Her actions included moving animals to avoid detection, with some kept in crates, pens, or partially constructed stables. The court heard that she had planned to build proper stables but had not completed the work.

Defense lawyer Nigel Wraith explained that Curtis was attempting to relocate the animals when her vehicle became stuck in the mud. He claimed her intentions were to provide proper care, and that her actions were not deliberate cruelty. Wraith added that Curtis, who lives a lonely life and suffers health issues, loved her dogs and had paid for work to improve her property, but the project was unfinished. Judge James Adkin condemned her behavior, stating, “The pictures show many of them in a truly pitiful condition. You showed a deliberate disregard for their welfare and failed to seek treatment. A very high level of suffering was caused to the animals. It appears you loved them for the comfort they provided but were selfish and had too many, prioritizing your feelings over their well-being, which caused them significant suffering.”

He further ordered that Curtis be banned from keeping any animals for at least ten years, emphasizing the importance of responsible pet ownership and animal welfare. The RSPCA highlighted the need for owners to seek help if overwhelmed and to ensure they can properly care for their animals. Most of the surviving dogs have since been rehomed, the charity confirmed, but Curtis’s actions serve as a stark reminder of the consequences of neglect and cruelty towards animals in Devon and North Devon.