SUSAN ASTON'S HORRIFIC ANIMAL ABUSE IN BIRMINGHAM: PETS LEFT TO SUFFER ON FOURLANDS ROAD

In a disturbing case that has shocked the Birmingham community, Susan Aston, a woman residing on Fourlands Road in Northfield, Birmingham, has been found guilty of severe animal neglect and abuse. The incident, which came to light after Aston left her pets without care for an entire week, highlights the ongoing issues of animal welfare violations in the area.

Despite having previously been issued a lifetime ban from keeping pets, Aston once again defied the court orders by acquiring new animals within seven months of her ban. The court heard that she had been manipulated by individuals in her neighborhood, who pressured her into caring for the animals. This exploitation led her to neglect her responsibilities, ultimately resulting in the RSPCA intervening to rescue the animals.

On May 20, the RSPCA responded to reports of neglect at Aston’s residence. When inspectors arrived, they found the conditions inside her home to be appalling and chaotic. Inspector Steve Morrall described the scene: there was a mattress and blanket on the floor, both heavily stained with urine and faeces, indicating a complete disregard for hygiene and animal comfort. An overflowing cat litter tray was also present, further emphasizing the neglect.

In a separate room, which was kept shut, a lop-eared rabbit was confined within a wire cage. The water bottle attached to the cage was completely dry, and the rabbit’s food bowl was empty, save for some droppings. The cage’s floor was covered in wet sawdust, heavily soiled with rabbit droppings and urine, with no bedding or food in sight. The conditions inside the cage were described as filthy and unsuitable for any living creature.

Aston, who pleaded guilty to charges of failing to ensure the welfare of her animals and breaching a disqualification order, had previously been banned from keeping pets on November 5, 2020. However, by May 2021, she had acquired new animals—cats and a rabbit—despite her legal restrictions. Prosecutor Rafe Turner confirmed that Aston had been in contact with another woman about caring for the animals while she was away, but she was unable to afford the costs of proper care.

Mr. Turner emphasized that Aston was fully aware of her animals’ needs but chose to leave them unattended. Her absence was reported to the RSPCA, which responded by sealing her doors to monitor activity. When the seals remained intact after four days, inspectors, with police assistance, forced entry into her home. The inspection revealed a home in disarray, with conditions so poor that Aston’s animals’ survival was described as “more by luck than judgment.” Aston returned to her home on May 29, but by then, the damage was done.

This was not the first time Aston had breached her animal ban; court records show two previous violations. Her defense lawyer, Shabeer Qureshi, expressed some sympathy, explaining that Aston was vulnerable and often manipulated by others in her community. He stated that local residents had pressured her into keeping animals for them, despite her protests. Qureshi acknowledged that Aston’s decision to leave her animals for a week was a mistake, driven by her vulnerabilities and exploitation.

The RSPCA confirmed that the cats and rabbit involved in this case have since been re-homed to loving families. Aston was sentenced to an 18-month community order, which includes 40 days of rehabilitation activities and 100 hours of unpaid work. Additionally, she received a lifetime ban on keeping animals, which she will be unable to appeal for the next 15 years, ensuring she cannot reoffend in this manner for a significant period.