MICHELLE CUNLIFFE AND LEEDS: WOMAN SENTENCED AFTER LEAVING PARALYZED CAT IN DISTRESS
| Red Rose Database
Holbeck Animal Abuser
Michelle Cunliffe, born on 12 March 1976 and residing at Ingram Gardens, Leeds LS11 9SA, was convicted in 2022 for neglecting her cat, Felix, leaving the animal in severe suffering. Felix was discovered in a bin store near Cunliffe’s former address on Stanley Road, Leeds, after RSPCA inspectors Kris Walker and Nikki Cheetham responded to concerns raised by a member of the public on the morning of September 15, 2021.
The inspectors visited following reports about the cat’s welfare. A check of Felix’s microchip revealed Cunliffe's residence nearby. During the investigation, Cunliffe admitted to Inspector Walker that her black female cat had not been receiving veterinary treatment. She explained that Felix had experienced a seizure about a week prior and was unable to move her back legs. Cunliffe stated, “She said that Felix had a fit almost a week previously and was off her back legs. She said she’d left her home on September 12 and hadn’t been seen since.”
Inspector Cheetham described the scene: “The cat was very cold, her fur was wet and she was unable to stand. It was clear that she had no use of her back limbs and she was very vocal when touched as if in pain.” Cunliffe also told the inspectors that Felix was registered with the PDSA veterinary charity, which was close to her home, but she had not sought any advice from its staff about Felix’s condition.
A veterinary expert’s report confirmed Felix was underweight and unable to use her pelvic limbs, with no reflexes or pulses detected. The court heard that Cunliffe acknowledged she “realised she could have done more” and that she was “very fond of her cat, but had other priorities that day.” Ultimately, due to her poor condition, Felix was euthanized.
Cunliffe received a sentence comprising a two-month community order with 25 rehabilitation activity days, along with a fine of £295 to cover costs and charges. Additionally, she was issued a lifetime ban on keeping animals. The case received coverage from ITV News and the Yorkshire Post.
The inspectors visited following reports about the cat’s welfare. A check of Felix’s microchip revealed Cunliffe's residence nearby. During the investigation, Cunliffe admitted to Inspector Walker that her black female cat had not been receiving veterinary treatment. She explained that Felix had experienced a seizure about a week prior and was unable to move her back legs. Cunliffe stated, “She said that Felix had a fit almost a week previously and was off her back legs. She said she’d left her home on September 12 and hadn’t been seen since.”
Inspector Cheetham described the scene: “The cat was very cold, her fur was wet and she was unable to stand. It was clear that she had no use of her back limbs and she was very vocal when touched as if in pain.” Cunliffe also told the inspectors that Felix was registered with the PDSA veterinary charity, which was close to her home, but she had not sought any advice from its staff about Felix’s condition.
A veterinary expert’s report confirmed Felix was underweight and unable to use her pelvic limbs, with no reflexes or pulses detected. The court heard that Cunliffe acknowledged she “realised she could have done more” and that she was “very fond of her cat, but had other priorities that day.” Ultimately, due to her poor condition, Felix was euthanized.
Cunliffe received a sentence comprising a two-month community order with 25 rehabilitation activity days, along with a fine of £295 to cover costs and charges. Additionally, she was issued a lifetime ban on keeping animals. The case received coverage from ITV News and the Yorkshire Post.