Blackpool woman banned from keeping animals after RSPCA found cat left near bodies of dead kittens

A woman has been banned from keeping animals for life after a was founding next to the bodies of her two dead kittens at a house in Blackpool.

The RSPCA visited the home of Crystal Addison, in Worcester Road after concerns had been raised about neglected and deceased animals at the address.

Black and white Blaze was rescued from the kitchen of the property after being found alongside the bodies of her two dead kittens.

In the same room were her offspring, a deceased four-month-old black and white male kitten and the partial remains of another kitten, whose sex could not be determined, lying in rubbish by the back door.

A leopard gecko, a French bulldog and a Chihuahua were also found alive in the lounge and one of the bedrooms.

The 41-year-old has now been disqualified from keeping animals for life following a prosecution by the RSPCA.

She was also given a 20-week custodial sentence, suspended for 12 months, after pleading guilty to four offences contrary to the Animal Welfare Act 2006 at a hearing at Lancaster Magistrates Court on April 14.

The court was told RSPCA Inspector Will Lamping had gone to Addison’s house in Worcester Road, Blackpool on February 5, 2023 after the charity was alerted by the concerned landlord who had found the animals that morning and given them food and water.

In his written statement to the court the inspector said: “I went into the kitchen area where I saw two deceased cats and one living adult cat.

“The first deceased cat was black and white on top of a pink and black animal bed by the rear door to the garden. The cat was clearly dead and very thin with the bones easily felt when touched. The fur was dirty and matted.

“I discovered the body of a second deceased cat amongst rubbish and litter in front of the rear door. Only the front portion of this one remained, it appeared to be black and white. Also inside the kitchen was a female black and white cat that Addison told me was called Blaze. She was alert and mobile but felt thin with dirty fur.

“The kitchen was in poor condition, with the floor and most surfaces dirty. Rubbish was piled up towards the rear door. There was a single litter tray which was full of cat faeces and urine. Beside the tray were piles of cat faeces, some of which was white and mouldy, leading me to think it had been there for some time. There was also a small pink dog crate that was dirty and contained no bedding.”

The inspector was shown to an upstairs bedroom where two dogs were inside. One of them was a male French bull dog called Loki, the other a male chihuahua type dog named Marnie. Both of them were bright and alert and appeared to be in reasonable condition. A leopard gecko was also found in a vivarium in the lounge.

Addison was told by the officer that the surviving animals needed to be seen by a vet and the deceased cats would require a post mortem examination, given the circumstances in which they had been found. She agreed to this and said she wanted to sign Blaze over to the RSPCA.

The animals were taken immediately to a vet who confirmed that Loki, Marnie and Blaze were likely to suffer if their circumstances didn't change. They were seized as evidence by the local authority’s dog warden, who has statutory powers under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, while the RSPCA’s enquiries continued.

The court heard evidence from a vet who gave written evidence in the case, who said: “The black and white male kitten had post mortem findings consistent with a period of malnutrition that had likely resulted in low blood glucose levels, collapse, coma and death.

“It cannot be determined with surety if the period of malnutrition was due to a lack of access to food or a period of inappetence. However, in either respect a lack of adequate supervision had resulted in this animal’s death since if adequately supervised, food should have been provided and a period of inappetence should have been noticed allowing remedial action to be taken.

“The second kitten was found to have been mutilated post death. No underlying disease processes were found to be evident at post mortem examination and the kitten was in average bodily condition suggesting a prolonged period of starvation had not occurred. Some of the findings indicated the kitten had sustained a traumatic event and had then been partially eaten after death."

The court hears Blaze, who was about five years old at the time, weighed 2.45Kg (5.40 pounds) and was found to be anaemic and dehydrated. After initial treatment at the vet she was transferred to the RSPCA's Greater Manchester Animal Hospital where she was given intravenous fluids.

The court was told the needs of all six animals have not been met to the extent required by good practice because the person responsible for their welfare had failed to provide daily supervision and therefore had failed to protect them from suffering. Addison had also failed to provide Blaze with a suitable diet by making sure she had access to fresh drinking water at all times.

In her interview with the RSPCA, Addison claimed she he had left the property on 3 February and taken the dogs with her. She said the cats were shut in the kitchen with food and water and she had made arrangements with someone else to look after them. She said she arrived back at about 4pm on 5 February and was shocked to find the kittens had passed away.

The person Addison referred to was also interviewed by the RSPCA. She said she had not been asked to look after the animals and had not attended at any time during February 2023 when the defendant was away.

Addison, now of Brook Street in Blackpool, was also told to carry out 20 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement Days and pay costs of £300 and a £154 victim surcharge. Magistrates said the case was so serious that a fixed term of disqualification would be inappropriate.

Blaze was cared for at the RSPCA’s Preston & District Branch. She made good progress and by March 23 weighed 3.23 kg (7.12 pounds). She was rehomed and is now called Rose.

Animal Care Manager, Ashleigh Kay, said: “When she first came to us Blaze had a very low body condition score of two out of nine and had clearly been subjected to a period of neglect. She was a really sweet and affectionate girl and it took no time at all for her to become a real cuddle bug and vocalise for fuss and food.

“She could be a little unsure about people at first, but considering everything she’d been through this wasn't surprising. But Rose definitely didn't let it get in the way of finding a loving home and we’re delighted she is thriving with her new family.”

The other animals were signed over to the RSPCA during the course of the investigation. Loki and Marnie were rehomed by the RSPCA’s Westmoreland Branch and have also been adopted. Leo the leopard gecko is being cared for at a specialist exotics facility.