Woman who starved up to 10 cats to death sentenced

A woman who starved up to 10 cats to death has been given a suspended jail sentence.

Cats' remains were found scattered around a property in Skelmersdale, Lancashire, which was strewn with rubbish, in what an RSPCA inspector described as an "utterly heartbreaking" and "harrowing" scene.

Lynsey Alcock, 24, of no fixed address, was found guilty at a trial in her absence at Wigan Magistrates' Court in June.

She was given a 26-week jail term - suspended for 12 months - and banned from keeping animals for five years and fined £50.

Warning: This story contains details some may find distressing.

The cats' bodies were swarming with flies and littered with faeces and rubbish, the RSPCA said.

The water in the sink and toilet had been drunk dry and some of the cats had partially eaten other cats in an attempt to survive.

Alcock had denied one charge contrary to the Animal Welfare Act 2006, the charity said.

RSPCA Inspector Vicki Brooks had gone to the flat on 12 April last year after the charity received reports cats had been left unattended.

In a written statement to the court, she said: "I was, despite my years of experience, very shocked, disturbed and upset by what was found.

"The entire flat was filthy, covered in faeces and piles of rubbish and clutter were strewn everywhere.

"The flies were overwhelming and there was a very large presence of fleas.

"There were no live animals in the flat. The scene was utterly heartbreaking."

The court was told it was impossible to establish exactly how many cats had perished at the property.

In mitigation, the court heard that Alcock, who was also ordered to carry out 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days, had mental health issues and said she had failed to ensure that someone else was looking after the cats properly.

Speaking after sentencing, Ms Brooks said: “This was a particularly harrowing and disturbing case for everyone involved."

PC Sean Dalby added: "This was a shocking case of needless cruelty that should never have happened."

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