A pet owner allowed her 12 cats to starve to death before leaving them to rot in her filthy flat.
Klare Forman was given a 17-week prison sentence, suspended for two years, and has been disqualified from keeping animals for life.
The 45-year-old, from Chesterfield, Derbs, pleaded guilty to one Animal Welfare Act offence following an investigation and prosecution by the RSPCA on 24 July.
READ MORE: Horrifying footage of mutilated dolphins sparks warnings from wildlife experts
The skeletal remains of the animals were discovered strewn throughout her one-bedroom property in April last year following reports that dead cats were inside.
Two surviving cats were rescued by the RSPCA, as reported by Need To Know.
Magistrates described the case as one of the “most distressing” they had ever heard in court.
In his evidence to the court, Animal Rescue Officer (ARO) Neil Coleman said: “The property was full of piled up clothing, as well as cat faeces across the floor.
“There was a deceased skeletal cat upon entrance to the front door. Within the living room, there were five dead skeletal cats.
“We entered the bedroom where there was a deceased skeletal cat at the foot of the bed, and another dead black cat underneath the bed, which was still intact.
“On the left-hand side of the bed, there was a further deceased cat, partially decomposed.
“Another dead tortoiseshell cat was found within the bedroom wardrobe.”
The remains of two kittens were found wrapped in clothing.
There was no food or water for the cats anywhere in the flat.
The fridge has been turned off, and the milk inside has expired in December 2023, suggesting no one has been living at the property for a considerable time.
Two terrified female cats were found alive in the bedroom and taken to a veterinary clinic.
Both were found to be alert and responsive. Their teeth and coats were in good condition.
The court heard there was nothing left of the bodies of the deceased felines, and the lack of flesh on them led RSPCA officers to believe the surviving cats had likely eaten the remains of those who had died.
In her evidence, the vet who also examined the two partially decomposed cats, said: “Although clinical examination was limited, the poor body condition was obvious.
“The post-mortem examination provides more conclusive detail in relation to the severity of anorexia that these animals would have been suffering.
The skeletal remains of the cats found. (Jam Press/RSPCA)
“Pathological changes were noted by the pathologist, which included a reduction in muscle bulk and subcutaneous adipose tissue and changes to the liver, which are consistent with hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver disease) in both.
“The tortoiseshell female was also found to have dilated ventricular chambers, which is known to occur in cats with a deficiency in taurine.
“This is an essential protein found in most commercial cat diets now.
“This further supports that this cat and likely the other were not fed a correct cat diet for a period of weeks to months.
“This has likely led to the long-lasting negative energy balance and their death.”
Forman initially told an inspector that she had made arrangements for another woman to come and live at the flat to look after the cats, but she couldn’t provide a name or telephone number.
She said she only had four cats and couldn’t vouch for the others.
But Forman later agreed she was responsible for the animals and admitted she had never made an arrangement for someone else to look after them.
The two surviving cats were signed into the care of the RSPCA.
They have since made a good recovery and have been rehomed.
In mitigation, the court was told that Forman had been using drugs and was now being assisted in her rehabilitation.
She was said to be “deeply apologetic” for the animals that had suffered, but her poor physical and mental health meant that prison would be detrimental to her.
During sentencing, magistrates said it was “one of the most distressing cases they had ever heard in their court”.
They said the description of what had been found inside the flat was very graphic, and they declined to view the footage or photographs because they were too distressing.
Forman was also ordered to carry out 20 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement Days and pay costs of £400 and a £154 victim surcharge.
Speaking after the sentencing hearing, ARO Coleman said: “The scene inside the flat was extremely distressing.
“The entire flat was littered with bones and the skeletons of cats who had sadly perished in the most awful circumstances.
“I’d like to thank the police officer and the staff from the council who assisted us with this incident, which was very upsetting for all concerned.
“Although we were only able to save two cats, I’m so pleased they are both in loving homes now, and the lifetime ban given to the defendant reflects how serious this case was.”
READ MORE: Young dolphin found wrapped in fishing line from head to tail
