A PENSIONER who kept animals in “completely unsuitable” conditions in a caravan has been banned from keeping animals for life.
Florence Guest Williams, of Ty Isoe, Llandegla, was handed the lifetime animal ban and a suspended 12 week prison sentence for illegally keeping dogs and being found to have animals living in cramped caged kennels at her former caravan home off Long Lane, Brynteg.
The orders were imposed exactly a year after Williams, 69, was disqualified from owning dogs for 10 years and given a two year conditional discharge for a previous animal welfare offence.
But Wrexham Magistrates Court heard officers visited the caravan in February this year and found three terriers and three puppies inside the caravan and became concerned for their welfare, along with two cats and two budgies.
Williams was last month convicted of four counts of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal and five of failing to ensure animal welfare, as well as single charges of breaching disqualification and conditional discharge orders.
Glen Murphy, prosecuting ahead of sentencing, showed photographs to magistrates of the animals living in small cages.
“The pictures show the animals were kept in completely unsuitable conditions,” he said.
“There is a picture of one terrier with three puppies together in one cage.”
The court heard officers encountered an “overpowering smell of urine and faeces” when they arrived at the property and there were concerns about the lack of provision for food and water for the animals.
Other issues raised included the condition and size of the cages and animals being found to have infections.
The RSPCA took care of the animals and an application was made in June for the dogs to be rehomed.
Williams said she was willing to let her animals to go to other homes via the RSPCA.
Asked by court clerk Phil Robinson why she kept dogs when she was banned, she replied “It’s because I still love dogs I suppose.”
Williams, who has owned pets since childhood, told the court she was opposed to a life ban as she might want a guard dog for protection.
Magistrates ruled Williams could not make an application for a review of the ban for two years, the same length of time as her suspended sentence will be in place.
She cannot own or be responsible for any animals, or have any involvement in how they are looked after.
The remaining animals, including five kittens born in recent months, are set to be rehomed after a deprivation order was issued.
Magistrates’ chairman Roly Humphreys told Williams: “We are making this order because we believe the offences are so serious that only custody can be imposed.
“You have been in a position of responsibility for these animals.
“Several animals have been affected.”
Speaking after sentencing, RSPCA Inspector Tim Jones, said: “The conditions these animals were kept in were extreme, as was the smell coming from the caravan.
“We hope this is an example to everyone of the importance of looking after your animals.”