NATALIE SCOTT CONVICTED IN COLCHESTER FOR ANIMAL WELFARE OFFENSES

Breeder Natalie Victoria Scott, born November 1983 and residing at 1 Langley Farm Cottages, Langley Green, Feering, Colchester CO5 9RL, was convicted in 2022 for neglect involving 37 dogs and a pony kept in deplorable conditions.

Scott kept dogs, puppies, and a pony in tiny, disgusting rooms filled with the smell of faeces and urine. Some of the dogs were packed tightly inside cramped, soiled crates that barely allowed them to stand or turn around.

On April 9, 2021, authorities including police officers, the RSPCA, Braintree District Council, and veterinary professionals obtained a search warrant to raid her home in Feering. The raid was carried out following concerns that animals were being kept in extremely poor conditions inside the property.

During the raid, all animals—including dogs, puppies, and the pony—were seized and taken into the care of the RSPCA. A police spokesperson described the conditions, saying: “The dogs were being kept in a room which smelt strongly of urine and faeces and were stacked in small, heavily soiled crates which were barely big enough to stand or turn around in. Some of them were puppies in pairs making even less space for them in those inadequate crates.”

The pony was assessed by an independent vet and described as having “very poor body condition,” which would have left it feeling lethargic, cold, and depressed.

It was also reported that seven puppies were found dead at the scene, and one dog had to be euthanized.

Among the surviving animals, Arnold, a dog rescued from the conditions, is now recovering from his ordeal. Scott was arrested on suspicion of various animal welfare offences and later admitted to causing unnecessary suffering through neglect and failure to care for 33 dogs.

The remaining animals were either adopted into new homes or placed in the care of the RSPCA. Scott received a two-year community order, which included 220 hours of unpaid work. She was also disqualified from owning any animals for ten years but has the right to appeal this decision after eight years.

An update from March 2023 reports that Scott was jailed for four months for failing to attend her unpaid work program and a meeting with the probation service. Additionally, she was resentenced for an unrelated historical assault.

This case was covered by Essex Live, Braintree and Witham Times, and the Clacton Gazette.