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Couple jailed for child neglect plead guilty to animal neglect (22 June 2015)

Date: 22/06/2015
Duncan Lewis, Crime Solicitors, Couple jailed for child neglect plead guilty to animal neglect

A Gloucestershire couple jailed last year for child neglect have pleaded guilty to animal neglect at Stroud Magistrates’ Court.

Local publisher Stroud News and Journal reports that the couple were charged with four counts of animal neglect relating to pets they owned before they were jailed for child neglect.

The couple appeared by video link in court and were sentenced to a further 10-week jail term for each offence of animal neglect. They were also disqualified from keeping animals or pets for ten years.

In May 2014, they were each jailed for six years after pleading guilty to five counts of cruelty to their children.

They are serving their sentences in separate prisons.

The prosecution told the court that a hygienic environment had not been provided for the couple’s pets, which comprised three cats and a mouse, as well as a cockatiel. The mouse and cockatiel had not been provided with a suitable diet.

“Over a period of 19 days, they did not ensure the needs of three cats, a mother and her kittens, a mouse and a cockatiel,” the court heard.

“No proper arrangements had been made to look after the animals.”

An RSPCA inspector and local authority animal officers visited the house on 19 June 2014 and took photographs, which were shown to the court.

A vet had also visited the couple’s home to examine the animals.

“The general state of the premises, the disrepair and clutter – the house was absolutely filthy, with the floor area riddled with faeces,” the prosecution said.

“The smell of urine and faeces was overwhelming – the base of a small, plastic storage box for the mouse was lined with newspaper which was saturated; and the inspectors were amazed to find the mouse alive.

“The cockatiel had no food or water – and its cage was soiled with droppings and husks from the seed.”

A vet’s report was read out in court:

“It is absolutely dirty,” it read. “I cannot understand how humans could live there.

“The temperature was quite high and it was not a suitable environment for cats.

“The cats had had access to food and water because a neighbour had supplied it, but without the water the temperature could have killed them.

“The mouse was caused unnecessary suffering and distress.”

The couple’s defence lawyer told the court that “clearly they were struggling as their situation deteriorated”.

“They fully accept that they made no clear arrangement for the animals – a lot of this was as a result of going into custody.”

The couple – who cannot be named for legal reasons – will serve their jail sentences concurrently.

Duncan Lewis Criminal Lawyers

Duncan Lewis crime lawyers can advise at any stage of a charge relating to child cruelty or neglect, child abuse or domestic violence, as well as animal cruelty or offences under the Dangerous Dogs Act or dog fights.

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