A Cardenden woman who neglected a menagerie of pets has been banned from keeping animals for 10 years.
Patricia Steven tried to convince SSPCA officers she did not own any pets after they made repeated visits to her home in response to concerns.
However, the animal charity applied for a warrant and found her home filled with cats, an underweight snake and two flea-ridden dogs.
Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court heard the 53-year-old’s property and garden were strewn with rubbish and faeces.
One of the dogs was foraging for food in the waste, while the cats were corralled in a make-shift den in the attic, leading to concerns they could be injured falling from the open hatch.
Repeated denials
Fiscal depute Amy Robertson said the SSPCA had first attempted to visit the property on bonfire night 2020.
She said: “The door was answered by the accused.
“Witness Ross (an SSPCA inspector) explained she had received a complaint about animals at the property, particularly concerns about two dogs.
“The accused was immediately volatile and slammed the door, saying to come back later.”
The inspector left a card and tried to visit the property a number of times without success.
Ms Robertson said: “On November 13 the accused contacted the SSPCA helpline and left a message to say she did not have any animals in the property.
“On November 19 they contacted the accused, who still claimed to have no animals.”
A warrant was executed on November 23, with Steven initially allowing police inside but blocking the SSPCA officers.
The women were eventually able to get inside and found the property teeming with animals.
Emaciated dogs
Mr Robertson said: “The owners had created a den-like area (in the attic) for the cats, whereby duvet covers and curtains had been hung and nailed to the rafters.
“The loft was partially floored and very unsafe.
“There was lots of exposed insulation and the cats were covered in it.”
Downstairs, an underweight corn snake was found in a makeshift case and a black labrador called Shadow was found among the bags of rubbish.
A Staffordshire bull terrier-like dog, Cordy, was foraging within the bags.
Both dogs had fleas and the labrador was wearing a jacket which covered bald patches.
A vet later assessed both dogs to have a body condition score of two out of nine – with one being the most emaciated – and said it would have taken at least three weeks to reach this state.
They also confirmed both dogs were suffering from a severe flea infestation and ear infections.
Shadow also had inflammation and infection in both eyes and had to be euthanised on welfare grounds.
The cats were taken to an animal rescue and rehoming centres, where they were treated for severe flea infestation.
Most had varying degrees of flea allergy dermatitis.
One, Fred, required dental treatment and was found to have a grade four heart murmur.
‘Homeless people keep dogs with no money’
Steven, of Carden Avenue, Cardenden, admitted causing suffering to two dogs, 11 cats and the snake by failing to provide adequate care between August and November 2020.
Solicitor Peter Robertson, defending, said Steven was an animal lover who had found herself “overwhelmed” by trying to care for so many animals on a limited income.
“She thought she could solve the problem herself.
“She’s very upset by it all.
“She’s been in tears going through it with me – almost hysterically so.
“She’s not deliberately set out to harm animals.”
Sheriff Timothy Niven-Smith hit back saying: “It doesn’t cost anything to lift faecal matter from your back doorstep.
“There’s homeless people who have dogs and beg on the streets who, with no funds whatsoever, manage to feed and care for their animals.
“I don’t see how this is solely down to lack of finance.”
He banned Steven from owning animals for ten years and placed her on a curfew for 108 days.
Scottish SPCA inspector, Stephanie Ross, said: “We are pleased that Steven has been banned from owning or keeping animals for 10 years and received a restriction of liberty order.
“The issues her pets were suffering from could have been easily prevented and we hope she’ll carefully consider her ability to care for any animal in future.
“Sadly, Shadow had to be euthanised on welfare grounds, but Cordy and the 11 cats have since gone on to find new homes.
“Our thanks go to Police Scotland for their assistance.
“If anyone is concerned about an animal, they can contact our confidential animal helpline on 03000 999 999.”
