WINSTON AND ANGELA AMOS ABANDON CATS IN WISBECH AND NORFOLK

Winston J Amos, born on November 10, 1973, and Angela Amos, born on March 7, 1967, both residents of Norwich Road, Wisbech PE13 2AT, found themselves at the center of a distressing case involving animal neglect and abandonment. The couple was accused of leaving their two cats, Fluffy and Smudge, in a state of neglect after relocating from their previous residence in Great Ryburgh, North Norfolk, to a new home in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire.

According to court reports, the incident came to light when a vigilant neighbor in Great Ryburgh observed the Amoses taking some belongings on a bus and leaving their cats behind. The neighbor noticed that the cats were confined outside the house in the kitchen area, and although the Amoses returned to the property a few days later, the cats remained abandoned. The neighbor promptly contacted the RSPCA, raising concerns about the welfare of the animals.

It was revealed that both cats were suffering from ear mites, and Fluffy was pregnant at the time. The RSPCA advised the neighbor to keep an eye on the situation and to contact them again if the cats were left unattended. Unfortunately, just two days after the initial incident, the Amoses left their property in Great Ryburgh for good, and this time, they abandoned the cats outside their home, leaving them to fend for themselves. Witnesses reported seeing the cats lingering around the front of the house, clearly in distress.

Legal proceedings followed, with the couple facing charges of failing to meet the welfare needs of their cats and neglecting to protect them from suffering due to abandonment. The RSPCA had visited the property multiple times between March 20 and March 28, 2017, leaving notices and eventually taking the cats into their care after the couple failed to respond or return.

Winston and Angela Amos did not attend the court hearing in person. Winston Amos later admitted to the offenses through a letter sent to the court, and he was sentenced in September 2017. The case against Angela Amos was temporarily adjourned until November 2017 while efforts were made to contact her, and she was ultimately sentenced in January 2018.

Inspector Dean Astilberry managed to locate the couple at their new address in Wisbech, specifically on Hawthorne Avenue, PE13 3LB. During interviews, both Winston and Angela Amos acknowledged that they were the owners of the two cats and admitted to having moved quickly from their previous residence. Angela Amos claimed that the cats had run away, but this was disputed by the prosecutor, Mr. Eales, who emphasized that responsible owners would ensure their pets had access to shelter, food, and water, and would regularly check on them or communicate with neighbors.

It was noted that one of the cats was pregnant, and both animals were suffering from ear mites and a flea infestation. The couple’s actions were characterized as abandonment, with the assumption that the cats would somehow survive on their own. The prosecutor highlighted that such behavior is increasingly common but remains unacceptable, as animals require proper care and attention.

In her statement to the court, Angela Amos explained that she and her husband had been experiencing mental health issues, including depression and anxiety, and that Winston Amos had been out of work and had attempted to take his own life. It was also revealed that Winston Amos had previously left three cats at a property after a house swap but had collected them when threatened with RSPCA intervention. All three cats from that incident were rehomed.

Sentencing resulted in Winston Amos being ordered to pay fines and costs totaling £560, while Angela Amos was fined £400. Both individuals received bans from owning animals for five years, with Winston’s ban expiring in September 2022 and Angela’s in January 2023. The case underscores ongoing concerns about animal welfare and the importance of responsible pet ownership in the Wisbech area and beyond.