HANNAH BAND FROM GLENROTHES SHOCKS COMMUNITY WITH CRUELTY TO CATS

Hannah Band, a support worker based in Glenrothes, Fife, has been at the center of a disturbing case involving severe neglect and cruelty towards three cats. The incident came to light after she was found to have confined the animals in her kitchen for a prolonged period of six weeks, during which they endured deplorable living conditions.

During this time, Band failed to provide the basic necessities for the cats, Odin, Loki, and Thor. The animals were left without sufficient food or clean water, and their environment was characterized by poor hygiene and inadequate ventilation. The cats were exposed to household rubbish, which further compromised their health and well-being. The situation was so dire that two of the cats were found to have consumed the carcass of the third, indicating the extreme neglect and suffering they endured.

Hannah Band, who was employed by Fife Council at East Fife Care at Home, was convicted of these offences in court last April. The court proceedings revealed the full extent of her neglect and the harm inflicted upon the animals. Following her conviction, the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) conducted an investigation into her professional conduct. The SSSC determined that her registration as a social service worker was impaired and subsequently imposed a ban, preventing her from working in social services again.

The SSSC report explicitly criticized her actions, stating: “Given that social service workers are employed in caring roles, your neglect for three vulnerable cats in your care is fundamentally at odds with the values and character expected of a social service worker and amounts to behaviour which causes serious concern. The public would be highly concerned that your behaviour towards vulnerable animals in your care might be indicative of character, values or attitudes which would call into question your ability to provide safe and effective care to vulnerable users of services.”

Furthermore, the report highlighted that Band failed to disclose her criminal conviction to her employer or the SSSC, which hindered proper risk assessment and oversight. This nondisclosure was considered a serious breach, leading the SSSC to issue a Removal Order, deeming it necessary and justified in the public interest to uphold trust in the profession.

The report emphasized the significant harm caused, noting that one cat had died and the remaining two had been subjected to suffering. It also pointed out that her failure to inform authorities about her conviction prevented timely intervention and risk management. Despite her being banned from keeping animals, Band did not cooperate with the investigation and was found to have an impaired fitness to practice, raising serious concerns about her suitability to work in any caring capacity.