A mother and daughter who kept their pets in a locked bathroom with no food and water have been banned from owning animals.
Fiona Martin and daughter Helen Martin pleaded guilty to failing to meet the needs of their two cats and two dogs.
The pair were given a ban from keeping animals for an indefinite period.
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The pair lived in Leeds, West Yorks and were sentenced at Kirklees Magistrates Court on Tuesday (22 Apr).
RSPCA officers described how their boots were “squelching” on a urine-soaked carpet and said that the home was littered with rubbish and faeces, as reported by Need To Know.
A male and female cat were living in a cluttered bathroom and there was no water available for them or the dogs.
The animal rescue officer Aleesha Haddlesey went to the property to do a follow up visit after the pair had been issued with a warning to clean the environment and take one of the dogs for treatment for his skin.
Aleesha told the court: “The conditions in the front room were unsuitable and there was a strong smell of ammonia.
“There were faeces and urine on the floor and rubbish and clutter everywhere.
“I asked to see the cats and followed Fiona Martin upstairs. My boots were squelching due to the stairs being soaked in urine.
“The conditions were just as bad as downstairs.
“The cats were locked in the bathroom. They were both bright, active and alert but skittish.
“I saw one litter box that was covered with multiple faeces and there was no food or water available.
“Fiona Martin said the cats didn’t have access outside of the bathroom.
“I asked her if any of the other rooms in the house were in a better condition. She advised her bedroom was but she would be unwilling to put the animals in there.”
Helen agreed to let the officer take them for veterinary treatment and they were immediately transferred to Greater Manchester Animal Hospital.
The German Shepherd, French Bulldog and two cats have all been rehomed.
Helen was also given an eight-week prison sentence, suspended for two years, after she admitted breaching a disqualification order after she was banned from keeping animals for life in 2018.
Fiona was given a 12 month Community Order, up to ten Rehabilitation Activity Requirement Days and ordered to pay costs of £400 and a £114 victim surcharge.
RSPCA Inspector Joanne Taylor, said: “The animals were living in wholly unacceptable conditions and were not having their most basic needs met.
“The seriousness of this case was compounded by the fact that one of the defendants was keeping pets when she knew a lifetime disqualification order was in place preventing her from doing so.”
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