CONVICTED (2024) | Kimberley Grant, born 1 May 1991, of Kingsland Court, Royston, Barnsley S71 4SW – kept three dogs in filthy, fly-infested conditions. The malamute type dogs – a four-year-old female called Mieshka and her two nine-month-old puppies called Toffee and Prince – were surrounded by rubbish and multiple piles of faeces in Grant’s flat. Grant was found guilty in her absence of one charge under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and appeared for sentencing on 14 October 2024. RSPCA inspector Vanessa Reid first visited the flat on December 20, 2023, to investigate a report of concern about the welfare of dogs living there. In her written statement to the court, inspector Reid said: “As I climbed the stairs, there was a horrific and overpowering smell of urine and faeces, and the higher I got, the more my eyes began to sting and water with the ammonia. “There were multiple piles of fresh faeces present on the landing area, and the carpet was covered in trodden in faeces and dirt. “Grant immediately reached for a carrier bag which was already full of older faeces, and began picking up some of the piles from the carpet around me. The whole area could only be described as putrid.” The three dogs were walking in animal waste. All the blinds were closed, and there was no ventilation or open windows. Mieshka had a large patch of missing fur on her back, and thinning areas towards her rear end and hind legs. Toffee and Prince were in reasonable condition, but all three dogs were constantly scratching. Grant was told they were all likely to have fleas. Grant was issued with a warning notice and told that conditions were not appropriate for the dogs. The officer returned two weeks later to check whether conditions had improved, but Grant would not let inspector Reid in. Two days later the Inspector tried again but there was still no answer. Another improvement notice – which highlights what an owner should do to improve conditions for animals – was stuck to the door. But as the inspector was about to get in her van, Grant ran into the flat and locked the door. Inspector Reid said: “The smell immediately after the door had been opened was unbearable, despite being stood outside in the fresh air, so I knew the conditions had not improved. “I continued shouting through the letterbox and explained that I had no option but to obtain a warrant if she continued to ignore me, but she never opened the door, or spoke back to me.” A warrant was carried out with the RSPCA on February 1, and the flat was in the same state as had been seen previously. All three dogs were seized by the police and placed into the care of the charity and taken for veterinary treatment. It was clear from their nervous and skittish demeanours that they were not used to being on leads or going outside. The vet who examined them said Grant had failed to take steps to protect the dogs from pain, suffering, injury or disease. In the case of Mieshka, Grant had not sought veterinary attention for the dog’s severe flea infestation which had led to extreme pruritus and areas of alopecia. In mitigation the court heard she had poor mental health and could ‘just about cope’ with one dog (Mieshka), but then inexplicably bred from her and ended up with five puppies, two of whom she couldn’t find homes for. She hadn’t set out to deliberately harm the dogs, she simply couldn’t cope, magistrates were told. All three dogs made a good recovery in the care of the RSPCA’s York, Harrogate & District and Burton upon Trent & District branches and can now be legally rehomed following the conclusion of the case. Sentencing | nine week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months; £400 in costs and a victim surcharge of £154. Five-year ban on keeping animals (expires November 2029). The Star