Animals discovered living among faeces in foul-smelling outbuilding
A PONTYPOOL woman has been banned from owning cats for five years after seven felines were discovered living in filthy, foul-smelling conditions at her property.
Danielle Jenkins, of Lynton Court, Abersychan, appeared before Newport Magistrates’ Court on March 6, where she admitted one offence under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
The 34-year-old was handed a 12-month community order, requiring her to complete 50 hours of unpaid work and attend five Rehabilitation Activity Requirement (RAR) days. She was also ordered to pay a £114 victim surcharge and £400 in court costs.
Disturbing conditions uncovered
The court heard that the RSPCA launched an investigation after receiving photographs and video footage from police showing the appalling environment in which the cats were being kept.
When animal rescue officers attended the property on February 26 last year, accompanied by police, they found five ragdoll-type cats and two black and white cats confined to a shed described as “stinking” and heavily contaminated with faeces.
In a statement presented to the court, an officer said the outer section of the shed was covered in excrement and urine stains, with only a small amount of water available to the animals.
All seven cats were immediately seized and taken to an RSPCA veterinary facility.
Cats required treatment
A veterinary examination revealed that one female cat required dental surgery due to gingivitis and a painful tooth. While the remaining cats were not found to have major health issues, one male ragdoll had severely matted fur.
At the time of the inspection, Jenkins was serving a prison sentence. She later told investigators that relatives had been given access to the property and were responsible for caring for the animals.
Court rejects plea to avoid ban
Despite her solicitor arguing against a disqualification—stating that Jenkins had cared for other animals, including two dogs—the magistrates imposed a five-year ban on keeping cats.
Addressing the defendant, they said: “These were terrible conditions which posed a risk to the health of the cats.”
Two of the animals had already been signed over to the RSPCA prior to the hearing, with the remaining five formally relinquished by court order. All seven have since been cared for at an approved boarding facility and will now be rehomed.
