A Consett couple who were already banned from keeping pets have now been banned for life after neglecting five cats, including three with severe skin disease. Kevin Malpass, 39, and Charlene McGilligan, 39, both of Briardale in Consett, admitted four animal welfare offences at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court on June 17.
Previous ban and new offences
The couple had previously been given a ten-year ban from keeping pets in December 2017. However, when RSPCA inspectors attended their home on November 5 last year, following reports of cats at the property, they found five cats along with fish and axolotls.
Inspector Catherine Maddison, one of the charity personnel to visit, said in a written statement to the court: "Ms McGilligan allowed us into the property which was incredibly cluttered and had little room to move around. She stated that the cats were upstairs but she refused us access to go up there and said she would go and get them."
Condition of the cats
McGilligan brought five cats downstairs: four black and white females and one tortoiseshell and white female, named Lilo, Tinkerbell, Misty, Wendy and Nala. The black and white cats were two years old, while Nala was one. The cats were described as "flea-infested" and four had "bald, thickened skin".
McGilligan signed the cats over into RSPCA care and was told by the officer that she was likely in breach of her ban. The only other person living at the property was the also-banned Malpass.
Each cat was examined by a vet. Three of them - Lilo, Tinkerbell and Misty - were underweight and suffering from skin disease caused by flea allergic dermatitis (FAD). Wendy was also underweight but with less severe disease, while Nala had fleas.
Vet's evidence and sentencing
A vet highlighted in evidence to the court that basic examination, such as stroking, would have revealed the poor state of the cats' skin. In written evidence, the vet said: "It is my opinion that Lilo, Tinkerbell and Misty have been caused unnecessary suffering through failure to investigate their skin disease. This suffering will have been ongoing for at least one month."
At the sentencing hearing, magistrates were told the couple had mental health issues and had taken the cats in as strays. The court heard how McGilligan and Malpass believed they could appeal their previous ban after five years but had not sought legal advice.
Aftermath and rehoming
Speaking after sentencing, Inspector Maddison said: "Kevin Malpass and Charlene McGilligan should not have been keeping animals. The cats that were discovered at their house had not been afforded the most basic care, with three of them in particular suffering unnecessarily for weeks as a result.
"We depend on the public to be our eyes and ears and we take breaches of bans very seriously, as do the courts, which is reflected in the sentencing of the defendants in this case.
"With the right veterinary treatment and the care they received from our wonderful staff at Felledge Animal Centre, Wendy, Lilo, Tinkerbell, Misty and Nala went from strength to strength. The images of them afterwards are testament to their hard work and dedication and we’re so pleased they are all now in loving homes."
All five cats have been rehomed by the RSPCA, while the other animals were also passed on to others by the defendants during the investigation, the RSPCA said.
