RSPCA found
more than 40 pets in small, squalid rooms with no natural light
The Guardian, Steven Morris and agency, Wednesday 11 March 2015
A couple who kept more than 40 pets in squalid conditions at their home have been jailed, with the presiding magistrate describing it as the worst case of animal cruelty he had seen in 30 years.
The RSPCA stopped their first search of Paul and June Harding’s property in Somerset on health and safety grounds. Photograph: Sean Dempsey/PA |
A couple who kept more than 40 pets in squalid conditions at their home have been jailed, with the presiding magistrate describing it as the worst case of animal cruelty he had seen in 30 years.
June
Harding, 46, and husband Paul, 45, left their 31 dogs, seven cats and four
guinea pigs to sleep in their own faeces in tiny rooms with no natural light.
Their water supplies were so dirty they had turned black and many of the
animals suffered infected eyes, rotting teeth and ulcers.
Two of the
animals had to be put down when they were found by police and animal welfare
inspectors.
Police who
visited their home had to abandon their initial search because of the
overbearing stench of ammonia and RSPCA inspectors described the conditions as
“appalling”.
On
Wednesday at Taunton magistrates court in Somerset, the pair were each
sentenced to 12 weeks in prison after pleading guilty to a total of 28 charges
of animal neglect.
The chair
of the bench, Clive Powell, said it was the worst case he had seen in 30 years.
“My stomach churned when I saw the pictures provided by the RSPCA,” he said.
Police
officers first visited the couple’s home in Montacute, Somerset, on 6 May last
year. Matthew Knight, prosecuting for the RSPCA, said: “Mr Harding was
reluctant to let police into the property. The officers noted the poor quality
of the house and abandoned their search on health and safety grounds.”
Police
returned with the RSPCA on 30 June. “In general, the interior was filthy,” said
Knight. “There was an overpowering smell of ammonia. A number of officers had
to leave the property due to the smell. The hallway of this property was
covered in dirt, hair and faeces.
“The living
room – little natural light with puddles of urine on the floor. There was a
very small window ajar. This seemed to be the only form of ventilation. There
was a room at the back called the cat room. Six cats were found. They seemed
frightened and lived inside old chairs.”
Clive Rees,
mitigating, said that June Harding genuinely thought she was looking after the
animals while Paul Harding tried to distance himself from the situation.
He said:
“The pair did not inflict anything on the animals that they did not inflict on
themselves. Clearly they were having to live in the premises and were blind to
the fact it was in such a mess. Their intention was to look after the animals
but the care of the animals was not adequate.”
Paul
Harding was found guilty of all 16 offences: 13 of causing unnecessary
suffering to animals and three of failing to meet the needs of the animals.
June Harding pleaded guilty to 12 charges – nine of causing unnecessary
suffering and three of failing to meet the needs of the animals.
The couple
were also banned from keeping animals for life. Many of the animals have since
been rehomed by the RSPCA. An appeal against the sentence has already been
lodged but bail was denied while it is processed.
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