A Wisbech woman has been banned from keeping animals for five years after she abandoned her two cats when she moved house.
Angela Amos, 50, of Osborne Road, was sentenced in her absence after she was found guilty of two counts of failing to meet the welfare needs of a cat.
Jonathan Eales, prosecuting, told King’s Lynn magistrates how Amos’s neighbour of her previous home in Great Ryburgh, near Fakenham, noticed the defendant leave on March 13, 2017, and not return.
She had left her two cats Fluffy and Smudge in the house unattended. The neighbour notified the RSPCA on March 16.
Amos returned and left on March 18, this time leaving the cats outdoors. The neighbour contacted the RSPCA and was advised to keep the cats watered and fed.
The RSPCA visited the property at least five times between March 20 - 28, leaving notices on the door before eventually taking the cats into RSPCA care.
Both cats suffered from ear mites and flea infestation and one was pregnant.
It was not until the following month, on April 26, that the RSPCA were able to track down the defendant.
Amos told RSPCA inspector Dean Astillberry that the two cats had ran away but prosecutor Mr Eales said this was untrue.
He added: “Reasonable owners would ensure there was a safe shelter for the cats if they returned home and they would ensure fresh food and water was available. “Most owners would go back to the house on a regular basis, responsible owners would speak to neighbours and ask for contact if the cats returned.”
At a hearing on Wednesday, January 10, Mr Eales told the court that Amos should be banned from having animals, adding: “It sends the message that you can’t do this.”
Chairman of the bench Joycelyn Girling disqualified Amos from having animals for five years. She also fined Amos £220 for each charge and ordered her to pay £150 court costs and £30 victim surcharge.
Mr Eales said: “She left the property in a horrible state and left her cats behind. It shows a complete lack of care for animals.”
He said Fluffy and Smudge were currently in the care of the RSPCA and are looking for new homes.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here