Flea-ridden cats found in 'most disgusting environment' inspector has ever seen

08 October 2023 , 11:58

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Sara Whitton, 52, admitted two charges contrary to the Animal Welfare Act 2006 at a hearing in June (Image: RSPCA)

A woman has been hit with a five year ban from keeping animals after her cats were found in horrific conditions.

Sara Whitton kept the two flea-ridden cats in a flat in Lupton Walk in Lowedges, Sheffield which was strewn with litter and faeces. Upon inspection by the RSPCA, one of the cats was suffering from extreme dental disease and had 16 teeth missing.

Sheffield Magistrates' Court heard that RSPCA inspector Jack Taylor visited the property in June last year following welfare concerns about the animals.

The inspector told the court he could see household rubbish all over the floor when looking through the letterbox, which made it difficult for Whitton, 52, to open the door.

Mr Taylor told the court the property was the “most disgusting environment [he] had ever experienced.”

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Such horrible conditions (RSPCA)

He said: “There was household rubbish all over the flat, covering every inch of floor', he said. 'The kitchen was full of mouldy food piled high. There was a fridge in the living room which was in working order, but it was full of black mouldy food and overflowing so the door couldn't close. There were multiple bottles of milk that were so old, the contents had solidified inside the cartons.”

He found a “huge mound” of cat faeces behind the living room TV stand, which the poor cats used as their toilet because the litter tray was overflowing with faeces. He made repeated attempts to meet Whitton and interview her about the situation, but his phone calls went unanswered and appointments were missed, and environmental health officers were also unable to get her to engage with them.

The court heard that both cats, called Sooty, a tabby and white male, and Kiki, a tabby female, were terrified and unhandled but were eventually caught and taken for veterinary treatment. During the rescue, one of Sooty's canine teeth came away from the root. Kiki was also found to have several bald patches of alopecia, which were self-inflicted due to a severe flea infestation.

Sooty was found to have severe dental disease affecting his remaining teeth. In total, 16 were missing and had no remaining root left behind, and four were surgically removed. The vet who examined the animals said: 'It is my opinion that these cats have suffered because of the owner's failure to seek veterinary attention, especially for Sooty's severe dental disease.

“An accurate period of suffering is difficult to estimate, but due to the chronicity it might have been over six months. The owner should have sought veterinary advice when fresh blood or a strong smell was noticed.”

Zesha Saleem