MEIR ANIMAL HOARDERS NATALIE KEENAN AND DAVID KNIGHT FACING JUSTICE IN STOKE-ON-TRENT

In a disturbing case uncovered in Meir, Stoke-on-Trent, two individuals, Natalie Keenan and David Knight, were found to be keeping an alarming number of animals in deplorable conditions within their residence on Sandon Old Road. The authorities discovered that the couple was housing a total of 23 animals, including some exotic species such as a barn owl, a fox, and a raccoon dog, alongside more common pets. The house was described as a 'house of horrors' due to its overwhelming smell, filth, and the presence of fleas, which indicated severe neglect and poor animal welfare standards.

The discovery was made somewhat unexpectedly when a utility company official arrived at the property to serve a warrant related to unpaid gas bills. During the visit, the official was met with a foul stench emanating from the house, prompting immediate concern. The RSPCA was contacted, and their inspectors arrived to investigate the situation. Upon entering the premises, they encountered a scene of utter neglect: piles of dog feces in the kitchen, rotting chickens stored in a snake tank, and numerous animals covered in fleas, all kept in tiny, filthy cages with minimal space to move and no immediate access to water.

One of the most heartbreaking findings was a terrier-type dog named Lexi, who was in such a dire state that she had to be euthanized. Hazel Stevens, the prosecutor representing the RSPCA, described Lexi’s condition as one of 'significant suffering.' She was nearly blind, emaciated with protruding bones, had little fur, and was suffering from an infected tumour concealed beneath a foul-smelling mess. The dog was found curled up on a pile of dirty nappies and was so weak that she could not walk, necessitating her removal from the house in a carry-out.

In addition to Lexi, the couple kept other animals, including Mocha, a French bulldog with skin and flea issues, and Gizzy, a cat suffering from similar health problems. Exotic animals such as a barn owl and a fox were confined in cages within different rooms of the house. The raccoon dog, a rat, a bearded dragon, five snakes, eight degus, and an African grey parrot named Charlie were also found living in similarly neglectful conditions. The overall environment was characterized by a complete lack of hygiene and proper care, with animals kept in cramped cages and exposed to unsanitary conditions.

Inspector Charlotte Melvin from the RSPCA recounted her experience: she was initially refused entry by the couple, who carried out multiple bags of rubbish from the house over a period of two hours. When she finally gained access, the scene was even worse than anticipated. The rooms were strewn with rubbish, and the animals’ enclosures were filthy, with their welfare needs clearly unmet. The inspector described the situation as 'disgusting' and a case of 'mass-scale neglect.'

Following the investigation, the remaining animals were taken into the RSPCA’s care, where they are now awaiting rehoming or placement with suitable carers. Inspector Melvin emphasized that many of these animals should never have been kept as pets, let alone in such conditions. She expressed her relief that they now have a chance for a better life, stating, 'To see these poor animals living in such squalor was heartbreaking. I’m just glad they can all now have a second chance at finding loving new homes where their needs will be properly catered to.'

In court, both Keenan and Knight pleaded guilty to multiple charges related to animal cruelty. David Knight admitted to five offences, while Natalie Keenan acknowledged four. The court sentenced them to a 12-month community order, which includes a 30-hour rehabilitation requirement. They were also ordered to pay costs and charges totaling £235 each. Additionally, both individuals were disqualified from keeping animals for three years, a ban that expired in 2021. The case highlights the importance of animal welfare laws and the ongoing efforts to prevent such neglect in the future.