ELIZABETH O’SULLIVAN HORRIFIES MOSELEY WITH CRUELTY TO CATS

Elizabeth Mary O’Sullivan, born on May 21, 1967, and previously residing on Sandford Road in Moseley, Birmingham B13, was at the center of a heartbreaking case of animal cruelty that shocked the local community. Her current address remains unconfirmed, but her past residence in Moseley is well documented.

In 2019, O’Sullivan was convicted of a heinous act involving her three cats, which she deliberately starved to death. The tragic discovery was made after she had moved out of her flat in Moseley, a move that took place around February or March of that year. It was not until approximately three months later that local authority housing officers, conducting routine checks, uncovered the horrific scene within her former residence.

Officers found the flat in a deplorable state, with filth and neglect evident throughout. On the living room floor, the dismembered bodies of two cats were found, their remains a grim testament to the cruelty inflicted upon them. A third cat, however, was discovered barely alive, collapsed and in a critical condition, on May 16, 2019. The officers immediately contacted the RSPCA, and Inspector Jonathan Radcliffe was dispatched to the scene to assess the situation.

It was determined that the two deceased cats had succumbed to dehydration and starvation, their bodies showing signs of prolonged suffering. The surviving cat had managed to cling to life by scavenging on the remains of his fallen companions, surviving for weeks without food or water. The inspector described the scene as deeply disturbing, noting that the flat contained no food or water for the animals. The only possible source of hydration might have been the toilet, which had its seat left up, allowing the cats to potentially drink from it. However, as their weakness increased, access to this water would have become impossible.

Inspector Radcliffe expressed his horror at the cruelty inflicted upon these animals, emphasizing the prolonged suffering and terror they must have endured. “It is incomprehensible to think of the suffering these pets endured and how terrified they must have been for such a long period before dying of starvation,” he stated. He further described the remaining cat’s ordeal, forced to witness the death of his companions and to survive by eating their remains in a desperate bid for life. Sadly, this last cat was too ill to recover from his ordeal and was euthanized to end his suffering.

Following the discovery, authorities traced O’Sullivan to a nearby address ten days later. She was arrested by police but failed to appear in court on two separate occasions. Despite her absence, she was tried and found guilty in her absence on November 15, 2019, of one animal welfare offense. She was subsequently arrested two days later and appeared before the court for sentencing on November 18, 2019.

During sentencing, Inspector Radcliffe recounted the details of the case, highlighting the appalling conditions and the suffering of the animals. O’Sullivan was sentenced to 20 weeks in jail, ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £150, and was banned from keeping any animals for life. The case drew widespread condemnation, underscoring the importance of animal welfare and the need for strict penalties against cruelty.