PAULINE PERRY AND DAVID THOMAS: HORRIFIC CAT CRUELTY IN MOUNTAIN ASH REVEALED

In a disturbing case of animal neglect and cruelty, Pauline Perry and David Thomas, both residents of Pentwyn Avenue in Mountain Ash, have been found guilty of failing to provide proper care for a total of 11 cats. The investigation uncovered shocking conditions in their home, where four of the cats were discovered trapped inside a small pink carrier concealed within a shopping bag, suffering from severe neglect.

It was RSPCA deputy chief Gemma Cooper who made the grim discovery. She was inspecting the property when she noticed a heavily soiled cat carrier, which emitted a foul smell of urine and feces. Inside, she found four distressed cats, all of which were visibly unwell, flea-infested, and covered in untreated health issues. The cats were cramped together in the carrier, which was clearly designed for only one small animal, causing them significant physical discomfort and stress. The cats vocalized loudly, hissing and struggling, until they were finally released into a controlled environment for examination.

Gemma Cooper recounted that she had made several attempts to access the couple’s home, but each time her efforts were thwarted as access was repeatedly denied. On February 1, 2023, while driving along Pentwyn Avenue, she encountered Pauline Perry walking with her dog, Sheba, a brindle lurcher. Perry was also carrying a heavy shopping bag, which she kept placing on the ground every few steps. Cooper observed that Sheba was wearing a red jacket, covering most of her body, and suspected that Perry might have been trying to hide something from her. When Cooper approached Perry, she was startled and appeared visibly nervous.

As Cooper drew closer, she could hear cats fighting inside the bag. Perry admitted that there were cats inside but claimed she did not know how many. Cooper noted fresh scratch marks on Perry’s face and hands, indicating recent struggle. Perry consented to Cooper inspecting the cats, who were found inside a single small carrier hidden within a pink bag. The carrier was heavily stained with urine and feces, and Cooper expressed concern about releasing the cats on a busy road, preferring instead to take them to a veterinary clinic for assessment.

Following this, Perry and Thomas agreed to surrender the cats to the RSPCA, and entry was granted into their home. Inside, the conditions were equally appalling. The smell of urine and feces was overwhelming, and the house was in a state of neglect. Upstairs, two large collapsible animal crates were found, and in the kitchen, the floor, walls, and cupboards were covered in cat feces. Flies swarmed the room, and a guinea pig cage with two cats inside was observed—cats that had no access to water or a litter tray, and were kept in an environment far too small for their needs.

In total, 11 cats were removed from the property. One of these was not signed over but was taken into RSPCA care. The cats were transported to the RSPCA Merthyr Tydfil Veterinary Clinic for examination. The first four cats examined from the bag included a male tabby and white cat with severe alopecia, fleas, and underweight condition; a female torbie with fecal contamination and fleas; a black and white female with urine-stained paws and fleas; and a dark tortoiseshell female with scabs and thinning fur. All four had been subjected to cramped, stressful conditions, which caused them physical discomfort and distress, as confirmed by veterinary staff.

One of the cats was so severely affected that it was euthanized on welfare grounds. The remaining cats were either rehomed or awaiting new homes. The court heard that the neglect extended beyond the initial discovery, with further investigations revealing additional cats kept in similarly deplorable conditions. In November 2024, Pauline Perry faced further charges, including keeping 35 cats in cramped, filthy cages, and breaching a four-year ban on keeping animals. She pleaded guilty to multiple offences, including causing unnecessary suffering to a black male cat and failing to meet the needs of the animals.

At sentencing, Perry received a lifetime disqualification from keeping all animals, a suspended custodial sentence of 10 weeks, and was ordered to pay substantial costs and surcharges. The court also imposed conditions requiring her to reside at her home address. Deputy Chief Inspector Gemma Cooper described her repeated visits to the property, noting the persistent neglect and the distress of the animals. Despite her disqualification, reports emerged in early 2024 that Perry was found with 35 cats, many crammed into cages filled with feces and urine, further highlighting her ongoing neglect.

This case underscores the importance of animal welfare enforcement and the ongoing efforts of the RSPCA to rescue and rehabilitate neglected animals. The cats rescued from Perry and Thomas are now in safe hands, and the authorities continue to monitor her activities to prevent further cruelty.