WOMAN HANDED FIVE-YEAR ANIMAL BAN AFTER NEGLECTING CATS AND BIRDS IN NORTHALLERTON
A North-east woman who caused unnecessary suffering to her cats has been banned from keeping animals for five years.Janice Lawson, also known as Janice Banthorpe and Janice Atkinson, failed to meet the needs of seven pedigree cats and 14 aviary birds living in squalid conditions at her bungalow in North Yorkshire.
The RSPCA Inspector stated that the smell in her Northallerton property 'took his breath away.' The inspector visited the bungalow on December 21 after concerns about the animals' welfare.
When the door was answered, Lawson claimed all her cats were fine.
Upon entering, the inspector described the property as cluttered with rubbish, clothing, and faeces on the floors, with a strong smell of ammonia.
Three Siamese-type cats were found in an animal crate amongst faeces, with one showing signs of an eye infection.
Additional cats and birds were rescued, with the animals found in poor health and living in filthy conditions.
The vet examining the animals confirmed they had been suffering for over a month due to neglect, with six out of seven cats emaciated, weighing only 1.5 kg instead of over 4 kg, and showing signs of disease.
Many birds had damaged tail feathers and overgrown claws, kept in cages coated with droppings and seed residue.
Lawson admitted to neglecting the animals, failing to provide proper food or environment and neglecting their medical needs.
She pleaded guilty to three offences under the Animal Welfare Act.
At the court hearing, she was sentenced to a five-year ban on keeping animals, two years of community service including 30 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement Days, and ordered to pay a victim surcharge and costs.
The court magistrate stated that Lawson was not entirely beyond rehabilitation and noted that some animals have been rehomed.
Lawson, aged 69, also signed over all her cats, which were already rehomed.
