TERESA HAWTIN'S HORRIFIC CAT HOARDING IN BURBAGE LEAVES FLATS COVERED IN FECES AND FLIES

Teresa Hawtin, a woman born around 1975 and residing on Duport Road in Burbage, Hinckley, LE10, has been convicted in 2024 of severe animal neglect involving her extensive collection of cats. Hawtin was found to be keeping a staggering total of 58 felines within a flat that was in an appalling state of filth and squalor.

When the RSPCA officers arrived at her property, they discovered a scene that was both heartbreaking and disturbing. Two of the 58 cats were already dead upon their arrival, a tragic testament to the neglect and poor conditions in which they had been kept. A third cat, suffering from the dire environment, was transferred into the care of the charity and subsequently euthanized to alleviate its suffering.

Hawtin had previously portrayed herself as a compassionate cat lover, claiming to have run a rescue service for felines. However, her actions over the past six months told a different story. During this period, the number of cats she was caring for had increased dramatically, reportedly due to requests from members of the public asking her to take in stray and abandoned cats. This surge in her feline population was not matched by proper care or adequate living conditions.

RSPCA Inspector Helen Smith described the scene at Hawtin’s flat, located in Shilton Road, Barwell, Leicester, as one of the worst she had encountered in her 25 years of service. The inspector detailed the overwhelming stench of urine and feces that permeated the entire property. The flat was covered in excrement, with every surface except for a small sofa being coated in filth. Overflowing litter trays and pools of diarrhea on the floor highlighted the neglect. The environment was infested with hundreds of flies, both alive and dead, further emphasizing the unsanitary conditions.

All remaining cats in Hawtin’s care have since been re-homed by the RSPCA, ensuring they are now in safe and suitable environments. Inspector Smith emphasized the severity of the situation, stating, “The environment was completely unsuitable, and the smell from the ammonia was overpowering.” She also pointed out that Hawtin’s claim of running a rescue was contradicted by the deplorable conditions in which the cats were kept. Despite numerous attempts by the RSPCA to offer support and assistance, Hawtin chose to ignore these offers, continuing to neglect her animals.

Hawtin was known locally for her collection of cats, which had become a notorious aspect of her reputation in the area. During her court appearance, she pleaded guilty to charges of failing to meet the basic needs of her cats and failing to provide a hygienic, safe environment. She was found not guilty of causing unnecessary suffering or of failing to provide timely veterinary care for eight of the cats.

In her defense, Hawtin claimed she had tried her best and believed that the eight cats in question did not require veterinary treatment at the time. She also acknowledged that she had realized she could not properly care for such a large number of cats, which led her to surrender them to the RSPCA.

Sentencing included a fine of £230, costs of £100, and a victim surcharge of £92. Additionally, Hawtin was banned from keeping cats for a period of two years, with the ban set to expire in March 2026. This case highlights the tragic consequences of animal hoarding and neglect, and the importance of animal welfare enforcement in the Burbage area.