KAYLEY PUGH'S CRUEL NEGLIGENCE IN LLANDYSUL: REPTILE ABANDONMENT HORROR

Kayley Elizabeth Patricia Pugh, also known as Kayley Shellam, born on July 25, 1999, and currently residing in Llandysul, Ceredigion, has been found guilty of a heinous act involving the abandonment and neglect of eight reptiles she was entrusted to care for. Pugh, a mother of three, faced the court after her actions led to the suffering and death of several exotic animals, including leopard geckos and a Chinese crested water dragon.

The case came to light when the owner of the reptiles requested Pugh to look after them temporarily. However, when the owner arrived to retrieve the animals on August 27, 2022, they discovered a tragic scene: four of the reptiles had already died, while the remaining four were still alive but in dire condition. The court was told that the reptiles had been left in neglectful circumstances, with no water or heat provided in their vivariums, leading to their suffering.

Inspector Keith Hogben, who examined the scene, provided a detailed account of the conditions. He stated that he was shown several vivariums collected from an address in Alltwalis, Carmarthen. Upon inspection, he observed that the enclosures lacked basic necessities such as water and heat, essential for the survival of these exotic animals. Two of the deceased leopard geckos, Thor and Luna, were found in one vivarium, while Maverick, a Chinese crested water dragon, was found dead in another. Additionally, a crested gecko named Oryx was discovered dead, while two emerald swifts named Bow and Arrow, another leopard gecko called Thor, and a bearded dragon named Hoggle were still alive but clearly suffering.

A veterinary report further detailed the grim state of the reptiles. The veterinarian noted that the four deceased animals exhibited advanced decomposition, indicating they had been neglected for an extended period. The report also revealed the presence of fly eggs in the mouths and on the skin of two of the carcasses. The surviving animals, including Thor, Luna, and Maverick, were described as emaciated, with their bodies in a severely weakened state. Oryx, the crested gecko, was found as a mummified carcass, making internal examination impossible.

The veterinarian concluded that the three animals—Thor, Luna, and Maverick—likely died from starvation, as evidenced by their low body weights, emaciation, and the absence of food in their digestive systems. The report suggested that inadequate or absent food provision, combined with poor health, contributed to their deaths. Thora, a leopard gecko, was also in poor condition, suffering from ocular infection and superficial skin injuries, which indicated she had endured unnecessary suffering for several weeks. Tragically, Thora died shortly after being taken into RSPCA care.

Following her sentencing, Inspector Hogben expressed his sorrow over the case, emphasizing that these deaths were entirely preventable with proper care. He urged pet owners and those responsible for exotic animals to thoroughly research and understand the requirements of their pets before taking them on, to prevent such tragedies from recurring.

In court, Pugh was sentenced to a 12-week custodial sentence, which was suspended for 12 months. She was also ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work, attend 12 rehabilitation days with probation, and pay costs of £400 along with a £154 victim surcharge. Additionally, she was disqualified from keeping all mammals and reptiles for a period of 10 years, reflecting the severity of her neglect in the Llandysul area and surrounding regions such as Carmarthen and Haverfordwest.