JANET OXLADE'S HORRIFIC ANIMAL CRUELTY IN BEXLEYHEATH AND MINSTER-ON-SEA, KENT

In a disturbing case of animal neglect and cruelty, Janet Oxlade, a woman with a long history of animal welfare offences, has been at the center of a series of investigations spanning several years. Originally residing at Grazeley Close in Bexleyheath, Oxlade’s recent address is 38 Darlington Drive in Minster-on-Sea, Sheerness, Kent ME12 3LF. Her involvement in the mistreatment of numerous animals has shocked both local communities and animal welfare organizations alike.

Oxlade, born around 1951, was convicted in 2018 for her role in neglecting animals and was subsequently banned from owning animals. Despite this, she continued to keep a significant number of animals, including dogs and a canary, in conditions described as deplorable. Her latest residence in Minster-on-Sea became the focus of a police and RSPCA raid in early 2023, following multiple complaints from members of the public who had purchased puppies from her address during the Christmas period.

The authorities, including the RSPCA’s Special Operations Unit and the Metropolitan Police, executed a warrant at her property in January. The raid uncovered a shocking scene: 38 dogs and 18 cats were found living in filthy, makeshift enclosures in her backyard, with many animals kept in crates inside her home. An independent veterinarian who accompanied officers described the conditions as some of the worst he had ever encountered, comparing the animals’ matted coats to “armour-plating” due to severe neglect and filth.

RSPCA Inspector Cliff Harrison documented the scene extensively, filming around two hours of footage. In his report, he described the environment as covered in mud and filth, with dogs unable to escape the dirt. He stated, “The animals are smothered in faeces. They just don’t know where to go. It’s utterly disgraceful to keep animals in these conditions.”

The raid was prompted by numerous complaints over the years, with local inspectors previously attempting to investigate the property in 2017. However, Oxlade refused entry, raising suspicions among neighbors and animal welfare officials. The property’s living room was kept in pristine condition, leading the public to believe that this was the only area where animals were presented to potential buyers. Behind closed doors, however, the conditions were far from the idyllic image projected to the public.

Many of the animals rescued from her care were in a dire state. Some, including a Newfoundland, were found with severely deformed legs and unable to walk. Others suffered from advanced dental disease, eye infections, and ear issues caused by hair and wax buildup. Several animals had docked tails, and many were found without access to water, living amidst chaos and filth. The conditions were so severe that two dogs had to be euthanized due to their injuries and suffering.

Oxlade’s co-defendant, Glen Hayes, who pleaded not guilty, was tried separately. The court sentenced Oxlade to a 20-week suspended prison sentence, ordered her to pay £2,000 in costs, and imposed a lifetime ban on keeping animals. Despite her ban, she was found to have breached it multiple times, with further allegations of animal cruelty emerging in October 2023.

In this later incident, Oxlade was discovered living at her current address on Darlington Drive, where she kept a number of neglected animals, including six Yorkshire terriers, four dachshunds, and four poodle-type dogs. Two of these animals had to be euthanized due to their poor health. Additionally, a canary named Elvis was found suffering from neglect, with a scaly leg infection, cysts, abscesses, and feather loss. The authorities charged her with three counts of breaching her disqualification, two counts of failing in her duties to care for animals, and causing unnecessary suffering to the canary.

During police interviews, Oxlade admitted that she kept animals to support her emotional well-being, claiming she had become “isolated and depressed” after moving out of Bexley following her initial ban in 2018. She also acknowledged owning some poodles for breeding, though she insisted she only produced one litter per year. Her dog, a Rottweiler returned to her by her daughter, had to be euthanized due to its poor condition. She claimed she was unaware that her ban was still in effect, believing it had ended after she paid a £2,000 fine related to her previous offences.

The court proceedings culminated in a sentencing at Sevenoaks Magistrates’ Court on March 8, 2024. Oxlade received a 120-day prison sentence, suspended for two years, and was ordered to complete at least 20 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement sessions. The judge warned her that any future breach of her ban would result in immediate imprisonment, emphasizing the seriousness of her repeated violations and the ongoing animal cruelty involved.