WEST MIDLAND WOMAN BANNED FROM OWNING PETS FOR 10 YEARS AFTER THE RSPCA FINDS CATS STARVING IN HER HOME
Tina Cottam was found guilty of an animal welfare offence after an investigation by the RSPCA.The charity’s team was called to her address in Claycroft Place in Lye following concerns about the welfare of her cats after she had moved out.
They found seven live cats in dirty conditions, with the bodies of eight dead cats hidden in a freezer.
Inspector Fiona Howell described the scene as messy, with excrement everywhere and animals in poor health.
The cats were rescued and taken for urgent veterinary care, where they were found to be underweight and ravenously hungry.
The investigation revealed that the cats had likely been neglected for at least 6 to 8 weeks.
Cottam was sentenced to 12 weeks in custody, suspended for one year, with a 10-year ban from keeping animals, which she cannot appeal for five years.
She was also fined £250 and required to complete 15 rehabilitation days.
In mitigation, she claimed she paid a friend to look after the cats but offered no evidence.
The surviving cats were signed over for rehoming.
RSPCA Inspector Howell emphasized the responsibility of owners to care for their animals properly and warned against abandonment.
