15-year animal ban for woman who breached previous disqualification

Forty-two-year-old Marie Smithson, of Derwent Close, was appeared before Peterlee Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, October 6, to be sentenced for a number of offences which had been proved in her absence after she failed to attend a hearing on September 1.

Her solicitors accepted she would have pleaded guilty had she attended.

The investigation began when RSPCA inspectors and an independent vet accompanied police on a warrant after reports that Smithson was in breach of a disqualification order imposed in 2013.

Eight cats - called Milo, Barney, Kevin, Marvin, Gavin, Merlin, Macey and Owen - were found at the address.

The vet was of the opinion they were likely to suffer if their circumstances did not change and as a result the police took the cats into their possession and passed them into the RSPCA’s care.

Once the vet had examined the cats at the surgery, she confirmed they were all suffering.

Two cats required dental treatment and they were all given vaccinations, flea and worm treatments.

RSPCA Inspector Catherine Maddison, who led the investigation for the charity said: "Amongst the abundance of metal crates, cat carriers and litter trays there were litter shavings and faeces on the floor throughout.

"The smell was overpowering. We found cat faeces on the hallway, carpet, on the windowsill and on bedding in the bedroom.”

Despite being disqualified from keeping animals for 10 years in 2013, Smithson was advertising herself as a cat rescue centre.

In mitigation the court heard she had arranged for volunteers to take the cats for veterinary treatment on her behalf and that at the time she was suffering with her mental health.

Alongside the 15-year disqualification from keeping all animals with no option to appeal, Smithson was given a six-month custodial sentence suspended for 12 months, with a requirement to do 20 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days within this time.

She was also ordered to pay £250 costs and a victim surcharge of £122. A deprivation order was issued for the cats who will now be made available for rehoming.

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