TRACEY TINDALL'S HORRIFIC ANIMAL CRUELTY IN BUTTERSHAW, BRADFORD

In a disturbing case of animal neglect and cruelty, Tracey Tindall, formerly residing on Lymington Drive in Holme Wood and more recently at Birkby Haven, Buttershaw, Bradford BD6 2AG, was found guilty of heinous acts involving the starvation and mistreatment of multiple animals. The case, which prosecutors described as one of the most severe instances of animal neglect they had encountered, revealed the extent of Tindall's disregard for the well-being of her pets.

Authorities from the RSPCA responded to reports of severe animal suffering at her residence in Buttershaw. Upon arrival, inspectors were met with a scene of utter chaos and decay. The property was littered with rubbish and faeces, and the smell of decomposition was overwhelming. Inside, they discovered the tragic remains of animals in various states of decay, including dead and decomposing pets, which had been left to rot in the most appalling conditions.

Inspectors found a two-tier rabbit hutch on the side of the house. The bottom tier contained the decomposing bodies of two rabbits, a sight that shocked the officers. Moving through a metal gate leading to the backyard, they encountered a kennel housing a large Mastiff dog, chained by its neck and also in a state of advanced decomposition. The back garden was strewn with rubbish and faeces, further illustrating the neglect.

Looking through a window into the dining room, the inspectors saw a ginger cat in a dire condition, suffering from severe neglect. The interior of the home was equally distressing, with the floor covered in faeces and no visible water source for the animals. Under a dining table, they found the body of a black cat that had recently died. In a cage, a bearded dragon was found lifeless, lacking both light and water, indicating neglect of its basic needs.

Within the dining area, the inspectors identified four puppy training crates. The rightmost crate contained the decomposing bodies of two puppies, which Tindall claimed had been confined there for several weeks to prevent them from chewing or wrecking the house. In the left crate, the body of an adult collie was discovered. The scene inside the home was one of unimaginable suffering and neglect, with animals suffering from starvation, dehydration, and severe malnutrition.

Prosecutor Andrew Davidson emphasized the long-term nature of the cruelty, stating that the animals had endured prolonged deprivation of food and proper care. He described the neglect as being of the most serious kind, with far too many animals kept in a confined space that was inadequate for their needs.

During the court proceedings, it was revealed that Tindall was battling alcohol addiction, depression, and anxiety, and was under significant stress due to caring for her ill mother. She pleaded guilty to 11 charges of failing to meet the animals' needs and nine charges of causing unnecessary suffering. The court sentenced her to 18 weeks in jail, banned her from keeping any animals for 20 years, and ordered her to pay costs and surcharges. She was also informed that she could not appeal the sentence for at least five years, and her appeal against the jail term was unsuccessful.

Following the case, RSPCA Inspector Rachel Evans described the case as one of the most horrific she had encountered in her 12 years of service. She recounted the discovery of decomposing rabbits and a Mastiff outside the property, which was only a hint of the horrors awaiting inside. Inside, the inspectors found three emaciated dogs, four critically ill cats, and a barely alive bearded dragon. The scene was further marred by the remains of eight other cats and dogs, with some animals having resorted to eating their deceased companions in a desperate bid for survival.

Inspector Evans detailed the tragic plight of a mother dog named Heidi, who had watched her puppies die in a metal training crate without access to food or water. The emotional toll of witnessing such suffering left a lasting impression on her. The case resulted in a deprivation order on two cats and five kittens still in Tindall’s possession, and she was disqualified from owning animals for two decades. The case remains a stark reminder of the importance of animal welfare and the devastating consequences of neglect.