CONVICTED: Was justice served?
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Case #7770 Rating: 4.5 out of 5
6 cats, dogs and small rodent pets removed
Eastgate, Peterborough, EN (UK)Incident Date: Thursday, May 5, 2005
Disposition: Convicted
Defendants/Suspects:
» Peggy Hunt
» Eve Hunt
Case Updates: 1 update(s) available
Distraught animal owners have been banned from keeping cats and dogs for life after a horrific case of neglect. Despite their tears and pleas not to lose their pets, magistrates said they simply could not let Peggy Hunt and daughter Eve continue to look after the five cats and three dogs they still keep. The RSPCA had been contacted by the Hunts on a previous occasion when the pair asked the charity for financial help.
But on a routine visit on May 5, 2005, RSPCA officers came across female cross breed Pippy who was in a neglected state and was dying of cancer. The Hunts had not taken her to the vets in all the nine years they owned her, even though she had developed a serious skin condition, had lost hair and had warts all over her back. RSPCA inspectors seized the dog but Pippy had to be put to sleep after cancerous growth was also discovered to be eating through bones in her mouth and nose. Yet this was just the start of neglect at the home in Fengate Close, Eastgate, Peterborough, because the RSPCA later found six cats living in their own urine because they were stopped from going out. The Hunts' also kept chipmunks, gerbils, budgies, hamsters, cockatiels and even more dogs at their home.
Giving the bench's verdict, chairman of the magistrates Bill Dalgliesh said: "This is a sad case. There is no disagreement among any of us at all that Pippy was caused unnecessary suffering.
"I don't think you'd deny the cats were kept with faeces all over the place, which is unsanitary for animals and humans. You proved that you are incapable of looking after cats and dogs." When RSPCA chief inspector Mark Thompson and colleague Kathryn Parfitt visited the Hunts' home, the court heard that Peggy Hunt simply hurled abuse at them and refused entry. In the end a police officer had to be called to take the dog away. The pair stormed out of the court when they heard the dog had been put down, and proceeded to cry throughout the case. When called to give evidence, Peggy Hunt, representing herself, said: "Some of that's lies. We loved that dog to pieces. "If you take my animals away, I shall commit suicide. That is my final word." Beforehand Michael Taylor, prosecuting, said: "This dog suffered and its condition could have been alleviated by a trip to the vets. A reasonable competent dog owner wouldn't have let this happen."
The Hunts now have two weeks to re-home their animals before the RSPCA forcibly takes them away. They also have to pay a £100 fine and £150 costs each.
Case UpdatesA mother and daughter have been banned from keeping animals for life for a second time – after neglecting their pets and ignoring a court order.
RSPCA inspectors who made a routine visit to the Peterborough home of Peggy Hunt and her daughter, Eve Hunt, found two dogs and five cats living in cramped and dirty conditions.
The animals were infested with fleas and their litter trays were overflowing.
Peterborough Magistrates' Court was told the pair were flouting a court order imposed earlier this year, banning them from keeping cats and dogs.
Sara Young, prosecuting for the RSPCA, said: "An inspector visited the house on June 1 this year and spoke to Eve who said she had three cats, and her mother two.
"She was given a verbal warning and told to get rid of the animals within 10 days. When RSPCA staff visited again later that month they were subjected to a torrent of abuse by Peggy Hunt.
"The police were called and the animals were taken away. The disqualification order imposed last time seems to have had no effect."
Miss Young said there was evidence that other animals had been kept at the house in Fengate Close, Peterborough.
She added: "We want a disqualification for all animals. There is evidence of animals being on site, but getting access has been difficult."
Sharon Lewis, defending, said it was a sad case as the Hunts had not meant to harm the animals in their care.
She said: "They accept they should not have had any of these cats or dogs living with them.
"These are two ladies who have learning difficulties and have trouble looking after themselves – let alone animals.
"They had tried a flea treatment bought from a pet shop but it did not work. They are fond of animals and did not want to see them go."
Peggy Hunt pleaded guilty to one charge of having custody of cats and dogs when banned from doing so and another of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal.
Her daughter pleaded guilty to one charge of having custody of cats and dogs when banned from doing so and four counts of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal.
District Judge Ken Sheraton imposed two-year conditional discharges and lifetime bans on the keeping of animals on each defendant.
He said: "Back in February you were both disqualified from keeping cats and dogs for life, but have failed to comply.
"I am concerned that you ignored the last order. If you commit another offence, and we are dealing with two flagrant breaches, then you could go to prison." | Source: Peterborough Today - Dec 6, 2006
Update posted on Dec 8, 2006 - 12:28PM |
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