JULIE ROBERTSON'S HORRIFIC ANIMAL HOARDING IN SKELTON-IN-CLEVELAND REVEALED

In a disturbing case of animal neglect, Julie Robertson, a resident of Derwent Road in Skelton-in-Cleveland, was found to have kept an alarming number of guinea pigs in deplorable conditions on her property near Saltburn-by-the-Sea. The investigation, led by RSPCA Inspector Clare Wilson, uncovered a scene of severe animal suffering that shocked even seasoned animal welfare workers.

According to Inspector Wilson, the conditions in Robertson’s garden shed were appalling. She discovered two plastic indoor cages housing a total of 19 guinea pigs, with ten confined in one cage and nine in another. These animals had no access to food, water, or bedding, and the cages were filled with a thick layer of compacted faeces, urine, and soiled straw, with the animals nearly touching the ceilings due to the overcrowding. The environment was heavily steamed up with condensation, indicating poor ventilation and hygiene.

Further inspection revealed additional animals in other parts of the property. Inside Robertson’s bedroom, six guinea pigs were found confined within a crate that was also devoid of bedding, food, or water. The crate was heavily soiled with urine and faeces, and a carrier bag containing hay was found nearby, but no hay remnants were present in the crate itself. The inspector also identified multiple guinea pigs living in three hutches that were far too small for the number of animals they contained. These hutches were similarly filled with a thick buildup of faeces, urine, and soiled straw, with the bedding so high that the animals were nearly touching the ceiling.

Tragically, the investigation uncovered the bodies of two guinea pigs, and several others had already succumbed to severe emaciation. Some of the surviving animals exhibited health issues, including obvious eye problems and signs of extreme thinness. Several guinea pigs had to undergo veterinary procedures, including the removal of eyes due to trauma sustained in the overcrowded and unsanitary conditions. The remaining animals were taken to RSPCA’s Great Ayton animal centre for emergency care, where staff provided fresh bedding, food, and water. The guinea pigs eagerly consumed the food provided, highlighting their desperate need for proper care.

Inspector Wilson described the scene as “horrendous,” emphasizing the neglect and suffering inflicted upon the animals. She noted that the conditions were so dire that the smell alone was overwhelming, and the animals’ health was visibly compromised. Despite her efforts, some of the guinea pigs could not be saved, and a few died due to their severe emaciation. The investigation revealed that Robertson had previously cared for animals well, but her current neglect was attributed to her struggle with arthritis, which made cleaning and caring for the animals difficult. Her defense admitted that she had lost control of the breeding process, leading to the overwhelming number of guinea pigs in her care.

During the court hearing, Robertson pleaded guilty to causing suffering to 14 guinea pigs, with two additional charges proven in her absence. The court sentenced her to a four-month curfew, ordered her to pay £340 in costs and charges, and imposed a ban on keeping animals for ten years. Following the legal proceedings, Inspector Wilson expressed relief that all the surviving guinea pigs, along with many of their offspring born after removal, had been placed in loving homes where they could receive the proper care and attention they desperately needed.