DONNA ADAMS PET HOARDER FROM BEESTON HELLHOLE FACES SEVEN-YEAR BAN AFTER CRUELTY CASE
| Red Rose Database
Beeston Animal Abuser
Donna R Adams, a woman born on May 11, 1971, and residing at 101 Tempest Road in the Beeston area of Leeds, has been found guilty of neglecting her eight cats in a case that has shocked animal welfare advocates. The conviction, handed down in 2023, followed a detailed investigation by the RSPCA after disturbing discoveries at her flat in Beeston Hill on January 14, 2022.
Adams had been accused of failing to provide her cats with a proper diet or adequate medical treatment for their ailments. Instead, she fed them a meager diet consisting mainly of boiled eggs, bread, cheese, and occasional bits of chicken, with some oil and biscuits, which was grossly insufficient for their nutritional needs. Despite her claims that her cats were well cared for, veterinary examinations painted a starkly different picture.
The eight cats, all suffering from severe underweight conditions and health issues such as conjunctivitis, corneal lesions, and dental disease, were found in a deplorable state. Two of the most undernourished, Claudia and Barnaby, weighed only 1.4 kilograms (approximately 3.086 pounds). Many of the felines exhibited signs of suffering, including eye infections and dental decay. Tragically, two of the cats had to be euthanized on veterinary advice due to kidney failure.
The vet who examined the cats reported that most of them had body condition scores of just two or three out of nine, indicating extreme malnutrition. The veterinarian expressed serious concern that their basic nutritional needs had not been met for several weeks or even up to three months. She emphasized that the cats' poor health was directly linked to their inadequate diet and that their condition could have been significantly improved with proper nutrition, dietary advice, or assistance from animal welfare charities.
During the trial, Adams maintained her stance, claiming she had kept cats for over ten years and believed they were all in good condition. She insisted that her feeding regime, which included two boiled eggs, bread, cheese, some chicken, and biscuits, was sufficient. She also disputed the need for specialist veterinary care, despite evidence to the contrary. Adams refused to sign over ownership of her animals and argued that their health issues did not warrant professional intervention.
It was revealed that only one of her cats, Barnaby, had been seen by the PDSA, and that was just a day before the animals were removed. No records of other veterinary consultations could be found. The court was told that the neglect had persisted for an extended period, causing unnecessary suffering.
On September 15, 2023, Leeds Crown Court dismissed Adams’ appeal against her conviction and sentencing. Judge Simon Phillips KC, along with two lay magistrates, clearly expressed their belief that the evidence demonstrated prolonged neglect and harm inflicted upon the cats. They also noted Adams’ lack of insight into her actions, which led to an extension of her disqualification from owning animals from five to seven years, meaning she would be barred from keeping any animals until September 2030.
RSPCA inspector Kris Walker, one of the officers involved in the investigation, commented on the case, stating, “Adams continued to maintain that her cats were well cared for, despite the overwhelming veterinary evidence to the contrary. A responsible owner would have recognized their pet was not thriving and would have proactively sought professional help and advice.”
In summary, Donna Adams from Beeston has been held accountable for her neglectful treatment of her cats, with a significant ban on owning animals now in place. The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of proper pet care and the consequences of neglecting vulnerable animals in the Leeds area.
Adams had been accused of failing to provide her cats with a proper diet or adequate medical treatment for their ailments. Instead, she fed them a meager diet consisting mainly of boiled eggs, bread, cheese, and occasional bits of chicken, with some oil and biscuits, which was grossly insufficient for their nutritional needs. Despite her claims that her cats were well cared for, veterinary examinations painted a starkly different picture.
The eight cats, all suffering from severe underweight conditions and health issues such as conjunctivitis, corneal lesions, and dental disease, were found in a deplorable state. Two of the most undernourished, Claudia and Barnaby, weighed only 1.4 kilograms (approximately 3.086 pounds). Many of the felines exhibited signs of suffering, including eye infections and dental decay. Tragically, two of the cats had to be euthanized on veterinary advice due to kidney failure.
The vet who examined the cats reported that most of them had body condition scores of just two or three out of nine, indicating extreme malnutrition. The veterinarian expressed serious concern that their basic nutritional needs had not been met for several weeks or even up to three months. She emphasized that the cats' poor health was directly linked to their inadequate diet and that their condition could have been significantly improved with proper nutrition, dietary advice, or assistance from animal welfare charities.
During the trial, Adams maintained her stance, claiming she had kept cats for over ten years and believed they were all in good condition. She insisted that her feeding regime, which included two boiled eggs, bread, cheese, some chicken, and biscuits, was sufficient. She also disputed the need for specialist veterinary care, despite evidence to the contrary. Adams refused to sign over ownership of her animals and argued that their health issues did not warrant professional intervention.
It was revealed that only one of her cats, Barnaby, had been seen by the PDSA, and that was just a day before the animals were removed. No records of other veterinary consultations could be found. The court was told that the neglect had persisted for an extended period, causing unnecessary suffering.
On September 15, 2023, Leeds Crown Court dismissed Adams’ appeal against her conviction and sentencing. Judge Simon Phillips KC, along with two lay magistrates, clearly expressed their belief that the evidence demonstrated prolonged neglect and harm inflicted upon the cats. They also noted Adams’ lack of insight into her actions, which led to an extension of her disqualification from owning animals from five to seven years, meaning she would be barred from keeping any animals until September 2030.
RSPCA inspector Kris Walker, one of the officers involved in the investigation, commented on the case, stating, “Adams continued to maintain that her cats were well cared for, despite the overwhelming veterinary evidence to the contrary. A responsible owner would have recognized their pet was not thriving and would have proactively sought professional help and advice.”
In summary, Donna Adams from Beeston has been held accountable for her neglectful treatment of her cats, with a significant ban on owning animals now in place. The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of proper pet care and the consequences of neglecting vulnerable animals in the Leeds area.