Lancashire man, 67, who left cats “alive with fleas” and suffering for weeks handed suspended jail sentence
A 67-year-old Lancashire man who left two cats suffering for weeks with untreated flea allergies after being banned from keeping all animals for life has been given a suspended 10 week prison sentence.
James Lally, of no fixed abode, appeared before Blackburn Magistrates on Friday, November 7, after a warrant had been issued for his arrest.
Two male cats, one who was described by a vet as being “alive with fleas” were discovered living in unsuitable conditions at his former flat in Lord Street, Blackpool in August last year.
Lally had been disqualified from keeping all animals for life by Fylde Coast Magistrates Court on 11 January 2012 following a previous prosecution by the RSPCA.
Blackburn magistrates were told RSPCA Deputy Chief Inspector Carl Larsson and a dog warden from Lancashire Council went to Lally’s address on 15 August last year to speak to him after they had been made aware he was keeping animals whilst disqualified.
A tabby and white cat called Stripey had been removed from the property a few days earlier by the local authority, but a black and white feline named Tinkerbell couldn’t be caught.
Lally admitted to the officers he owned Stripey and had responsibility for Tinkerbell - while he was disqualified from keeping animals.
In his written evidence to the court the Deputy Chief Inspector said: “I could see that Tinkerbell had significant fur loss across the body but more noticeably towards the back end. I was also easily able to see a number of live fleas in the coat.
“This infestation should have been immediately recognisable to any reasonably competent cat owner and appropriate action taken.”
Tinkerbell was taken to the RSPCA’s Greater Manchester Animal Hospital where he was examined and left in the care of veterinary staff for further treatment.
The vet who saw him gave written evidence to the court. She said: “There were scabs present, especially on the neck and the back of the legs. The ears were also inflamed. Live fleas and flea dirt were seen throughout the coat.
“I would expect a reasonable owner to see that Tinkerbell had hair loss, scabs on the skin and that live fleas were present in the coat, prompting the need for veterinary intervention.
“Based on my clinical examination, I can say the inflamed skin and hair loss has likely to have occurred over a period of at least two weeks. Fleas in the coat are likely to have been present for at least a few days.”
Tinkerbell was given routine vaccinations and ectoparasite treatment and the following day his teeth were cleaned and he was neutered and microchipped.
Stripey was described by the vet who examined him as being “alive” with fleas. The infestation had caused marked hair loss over his back and there were scabs and wounds where he had been constantly scratching himself. Due to the level of alopecia and irritation the vet said he had been suffering unnecessarily for at least a month.
Lally pleaded guilty to four offences contrary to the Animal Welfare 2006 following the prosecution by the RSPCA.
He was given a ten-week custodial sentence, suspended for two years, and 15 Rehabilitation Activity Days for the first breach offence, and a ten-week jail sentence, suspended for two years, for a further three offences. These will all run concurrently. Costs of £200 and a £154 victim surcharge were also imposed by the court.
Another defendant in the case, who had also previously received a lifetime ban on keeping animals, pleaded guilty to the same charges and was given a 12-month community order and 20 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement Days at a sentencing hearing in June.
Stripey and Tinkerbell, who were signed over to the charity, were looked after at the RSPCA’s Blackpool & North Lancs and Preston & District Branches respectively and have since been rehomed.
Speaking after sentencing Deputy Chief Inspector Larsson said: “Lifetime bans are imposed for good reason and breaching one is a serious matter.
“I’d like to thank the local authority for their assistance with this case which helped ensure Tinkerbell and Stripey got the help they urgently needed.
“With the right treatment and some TLC from the wonderful staff at our branch animal centres, they made a good recovery.”