A cruel woman who abandoned her pets to live in squalor in a filthy flat has been slapped with a 10-year ban.
Hayley Whitehouse, 29, admitted three offences after an investigation.
A court heard an animal rescue officer attended the property in May 2024 following reports two dogs had been left alone inside.
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There was no answer when he knocked but he noticed a strong ammonia and faeces smell and could hear two large dogs barking.
He left a warning notice and placed tape seals on the door.
Two days later Animal Rescue Officer Ashley Moore attended.
Inside the property where the animals were found. (Jam Press/RSPCA)
The tape seals were unbroken and the dogs could still be heard barking.
The next day he returned with police and entered the property, as reported by Need To Know.
Moore told the court: “We were met by a very strong smell of urine and faeces, the property was in a severe state of disrepair.
“There was no food or water available.”
Two female bull-breed dogs and a severely underweight female cat, also belonging to Whitehouse, were taken into RSPCA care and transported to an RSPCA hospital.
A vet who examined the pets found all three were underweight and said they had been kept in an unsuitable environment without adequate food, water or appropriate care.
Whitehouse, of Wednesbury, West Mids, pleaded guilty at Birmingham Magistrates Court to three offences under the Animal Welfare Act.
She was handed a 12-month community order, including 20 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days, alongside a 10-year ban on keeping all animals.
She was also ordered to pay £50 in costs.
In mitigation, the court heard that Whitehouse had been through a difficult time, experiencing domestic abuse and mental health issues, and she expressed remorse for her actions.
All three animals have now been rehomed.
Speaking after the sentencing, RSPCA Inspector Vicki Taylor said: “Animals rely entirely on their owners to provide them with food, water, shelter and care.
“In this case, these basic needs were simply not being met.
“The conditions inside the property were extremely unpleasant, and the poor dogs and cat had been left without any food or water – no animal should ever be left living in an environment like that.
“There is help available. Nobody should wait until an animal is in crisis – people struggling can speak to their vet, or a local charity.
“There’s also loads of advice on the RSPCA website.”
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Inside the property where the animals were found. (Jam Press/RSPCA)
