DENISE SMITH FROM BRIAH HILL NORTHAMPTON FACES FINE AND BAN OVER CAT'S CANCER TREATMENT

In a case that has drawn significant attention from animal welfare advocates, Denise Smith, a resident of Axe Head Road in Briar Hill, Northampton, was found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to a beloved pet cat named Blacky. The incident dates back to 2017 when concerns about the animal's health prompted a report to the RSPCA, leading to an investigation that uncovered troubling details about the treatment Blacky received.

On August 30, 2017, a member of the public contacted the RSPCA after noticing Blacky with a heavily bandaged leg. Inspector Michelle Hare was dispatched to the scene and described her findings: Blacky was suffering from a large, cancerous wound on her leg. The wound was so severe that it extended down to her tendons, indicating the extent of the disease and the urgency of medical intervention. A veterinarian was consulted, and it was decided that amputation was necessary to save the cat's life.

However, what raised concern during the investigation was the treatment Blacky had been subjected to prior to her hospitalization. Denise Smith had been applying manuka honey to the wound, believing it to have healing properties. Smith had reportedly read online that manuka honey possesses antimicrobial qualities, leading her to use it as a home remedy. Inspector Hare explained that this treatment was inappropriate for a wound of Blacky's severity and that such remedies should not replace professional veterinary care.

Manuka honey, derived from nectar collected by bees from the native New Zealand manuka tree, is often marketed for its supposed medicinal benefits. Nonetheless, the NHS Choices website states that the effectiveness of manuka honey, especially in combination with antibiotics, has yet to be conclusively tested in clinical trials. The site explicitly warns against using supermarket-bought honey to treat wounds at home, emphasizing the importance of professional veterinary treatment.

Following the investigation, Blacky underwent surgery to remove her cancerous leg. Although she survived the operation and was successfully rehomed, her ordeal was not over. A few months later, the cancer returned, and Blacky was humanely put to sleep to prevent further suffering.

In court, Denise Smith was held accountable for her actions. She was ordered to pay a fine of £615 and was disqualified from keeping animals for a period of 12 months. This disqualification expired in 2018, but the case has served as a stark reminder of the dangers of attempting to treat serious medical conditions in animals without proper veterinary guidance.