STOKE-ON-TRENT ANIMAL ABUSERS TONYA HAUGHTON AND CARMEN LYTH CONVICTED FOR SHOCKING CONDITIONS

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Stoke-on-Trent, Tonya Haughton, born on November 26, 1980, and her daughter Carmen Lyth, born on June 21, 1999, from Blakelow Road, Abbey Hulton, faced serious allegations and subsequent convictions for the appalling treatment of numerous animals under their care.

According to reports, the RSPCA, after being alerted by the Stoke-on-Trent City Council in April 2017, launched an investigation into the living conditions at the residence where the pair resided. The council's concern was prompted by a foul smell emanating from the property located on Trowbridge Crescent in the Bentilee area. When RSPCA inspectors arrived at the scene, they uncovered a scene of neglect and cruelty that was both shocking and heartbreaking.

Inspectors discovered 42 deceased guinea pigs, all wrapped in puppy training pads and stored in a hutch in the garden. These animals had clearly been left to decompose, and in addition to these, two bags filled with dead guinea pigs were found inside the house. The interior of the property was in a deplorable state, with faeces covering the floors and walls, and the smell was overwhelming. The investigation revealed that the household was housing approximately 130 animals, including guinea pigs and rabbits, many of which were in a state of severe neglect.

Among the animals found alive, there were 11 guinea pigs and four rabbits that were suffering from extreme malnutrition and poor health. RSPCA inspector Charlotte Melvin described the scene as distressing, stating, “There were four cages of guinea pigs in the living room and more kept outside in the garden. There were even more cages dotted around the house. We found a dead guinea pig inside the property, and when we asked what happened, we were told that the guinea pig was dying that morning but that they hadn’t had time to deal with it.”

Inspector Melvin further explained the severity of the situation, emphasizing that the conditions inside the house were shocking and that the animals were in a terrible state. The rabbits found in the garden were so emaciated that it was a miracle they were still alive. She added, “It really was such a shock to see animals being kept in this way. It is clear that the animals had been deteriorating for some time and it should never have got to this point.”

Following the investigation, the RSPCA took custody of 57 surviving animals, which are now in the process of being rehomed. The legal proceedings resulted in sentencing for both offenders. Tonya Haughton received a 12-week suspended sentence, was disqualified from keeping animals for life, and was ordered to pay costs. Carmen Lyth was given an 18-month conditional discharge and was disqualified from keeping animals for five years, a disqualification that expired in November 2022.

Further details emerged in September 2018 when Stoke-on-Trent Live reported that a new tenant of the property had discovered 28 dead guinea pigs wrapped in puppy pads and buried in shallow graves in her back garden. This grim find was in addition to the 42 dead animals uncovered by the RSPCA the previous year, highlighting the extent of the neglect and cruelty inflicted upon these innocent creatures in Stoke-on-Trent.