MARK BLAZEY, ANIMAL HOARDER FROM WEYMOUTH, CONVICTED OF DROWNING CATS

Animal hoarder Mark Dean Blazey, born around 1967 and residing on Clayton Close in Weymouth (postcode DT3 6QZ), was convicted of drowning 10 cats and discarding their bodies. During a two-day trial, Blazey was found guilty of two counts of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal and two counts of failing in his duty to ensure the welfare of the animals in his care.

The court was told that Blazey was responsible for the cats and ‘purposefully and forcibly’ drowned them by submerging them in water. He admitted to dumping five cats in two suitcases at Weymouth Recycling Centre on February 8, 2021. A week later, he returned to the same site and threw away five more dead cats in a black bin bag.

At the time of the incident, Blazey reportedly kept around 40 cats in his one-bedroom flat. He told the court that the cats were like his ‘family.’ Despite offers from a neighbor to help him rehome the cats, he was reluctant to give them up, explaining his desire to ensure they would be properly looked after.

When questioned about a bucket and tarpaulin found in his bathroom, Blazey claimed that the bucket was used to create a makeshift water fountain for the cats, with a pump providing the water for them to drink and play. He also suggested that the cats might have been poisoned, revealing that prior to their deaths, he saw blue pills in an open envelope posted through his letterbox, which he believed caused the cats to fall ill. Blazey mentioned he couldn’t remember whether all 10 cats had died simultaneously or in two separate groups.

He explained that he wrapped the cats in towels to keep them ‘nice’ and placed them in the bathtub. He admitted that the cats also used the bathtub as a toilet, and he often used the shower head to wash away their faeces and urine—even while the cats were dead, which left them wet. When asked why he didn’t seek veterinary help, Blazey said he was ‘scared’ and reluctant to speak to police out of concern that the cats might be taken away from him. He explained that his largely no-comment interview was due to advice from his duty solicitor.

The RSPCA inspector involved in the case, Patrick Bailey, reported noticing an overwhelming smell of urine at Blazey’s address. Prosecutors argued that the crimes involved a degree of premeditation and stated that the cats would have suffered, with their hearts likely stopping within five to ten minutes.

Mitigation was presented by Max Owen, who emphasized that Blazey was “clearly someone who loves animals” and that his client, who was living on universal credit, had sacrificed almost everything to care for his cats. Mr. Owen described Blazey as “very fond of his cats,” noting they were of normal weight, well-fed, and appeared to be well cared for, despite living in a small flat. He added, “The reality is that losing his cats is going to be a devastating experience for him and a much greater punishment than any the court could impose.”

The assistant manager at the recycling centre confirmed that on both occasions, the cats found were “sopping wet.”

At the end of the trial, Chair of the Bench Mr. Davidge stated that Blazey was found guilty of drowning the cats and causing them unnecessary suffering.

The court sentenced Blazey to 20 days of rehabilitation activity, a fine of £395 along with costs and a victim surcharge. He was disqualified from owning any animals for five years (until August 2027), with a requirement that any cats still in his possession be removed within 24 hours.