French bulldog discovered emaciated in cage as kitten and hens also required urgent care
A DEESIDE woman has been banned from keeping animals for two years after a court heard she failed to meet the welfare needs of a dog, a kitten and five hens found in poor conditions at her home.
Amy Ashbrook, 35, of Sandown Road, Shotton, appeared before the courts after being prosecuted by the RSPCA under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
The offences were proved in her absence at Mold Magistrates’ Court before sentencing took place at Wrexham Magistrates’ Court on May 19.
Ashbrook was disqualified from keeping all animals for two years and handed a 12-month community order. She was also ordered to complete 20 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement Days, pay a £200 fine and a £114 victim surcharge.
The prosecution followed an RSPCA visit to the property on August 4 last year after concerns were raised about the welfare of several animals.
In a statement presented to the court, RSPCA Inspector Mark Roberts described finding a garden cluttered with rubbish and an overflowing skip. Five hens were being kept in what he said was a small coop with little room to move.
“There was no food or water available and the base of the coop was covered in a thick layer of faeces,” he said.
Inside the property, inspectors found a kitten named Baguette who appeared lethargic and unwell. In the kitchen, they discovered a French bulldog called Reggie lying in a wire cage.
Inspector Roberts said Reggie was in an extremely poor state, with a body condition score of one out of nine. He was suffering from open pressure sores, a wound on his spine and discharge from both eyes.
“Of concern was the fact that this dog did not react when we entered the kitchen,” he said. “He just lay there curled up.”
Reggie and Baguette were taken to a veterinary practice for urgent assessment, while the five hens were signed over into RSPCA care.
Veterinary examinations revealed that Baguette was anaemic due to a severe flea infestation and required treatment and monitoring. Reggie was found to be emaciated and suffering from untreated wounds and other health issues.
The hens were also found to be underweight and were later treated for mites while being cared for at a specialist poultry boarding facility.
Both Reggie and Baguette were subsequently signed over to the RSPCA and have since been successfully rehomed.
Following the sentencing, Inspector Roberts said: “Every animal deserves to be treated with kindness and respect and if you have a pet you are responsible for making sure they are happy and healthy.”
The court heard that Ashbrook had failed to provide adequate food, water, veterinary care and suitable living conditions for the animals, resulting in unnecessary suffering and poor welfare.
