Taken from RSPCA website

Below is a perfect example of RSPCA prosecuting someone under section 4 of the animal welfare act 2006 for their dog having fleas. Did they prove the baldness on the dogs back was an actual skin condition or was it in fact due to the fleas? lots of dogs are allergic to the saliva of fleas and the description fits that perfectly, however it just proves the fact that RSPCA do prosecute under section 4 for a dog having fleas!.

Another major concern is, animals removed but the humans left to live in unsuitable conditions, what does that say, not only about the RSPCA, but this country too?.

Couple banned from keeping animals for life

11.11.20

A man and woman from County Durham have been disqualified from keeping animals for life following one of our prosecutions.

Budgies living in cage full of rubbish © RSPCA

John Raper and Clare Louise Raper, both of Darlington, were convicted of causing unnecessary suffering to their dog Chico and failing to meet the needs of Chico, a cat called Puss, three domestic white rats and two Budgerigars. Mr Raper pleaded guilty to a third offence of failing to protect Chico and Puss from pain, suffering, injury or disease, which are all offences contrary to the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

Both were sentenced at Peterlee Magistrates' Court on Tuesday 20 October.

Living conditions like dirty water with dead flies and soiled bedding

When our inspector Clare Wilson entered the property with police she found the animals were living in an unhygienic and hazardous environment. Inside, the rooms were hoarded household items which were infested with fleas, flies and other insects.

Clare saw Chico, a Labrador cross, had an untreated skin condition with hair loss to his back, and he was scratching his skin. Additionally, the water available to him was dirty and undrinkable.

There was a metal cage containing two white rats - the only water they had was also dirty and had dead flies floating in it. There was rubbish and takeaway containers filling their cage and she saw donner meat from a takeaway box but no specific rat food. The rats were huddled in a corner as their soiled newspaper was falling and dripping through the base of the cage.

Cat Puss on a damp and soiled bed © RSPCA

The black cat Puss was found curled up on a bed that was damp and soiled. Puss was also found to have a flea infestation.

Two budgies called Penny and Shadow were in a cage where they had no room to fly because of a large number of hanging toys. Their cage was also soiled with droppings.

Clare found another white rat living in a filing drawer. The drawer was closed so the rat was living in the dark amongst rubbish with no food or water.

Our inspector could feel fleas on her

She said:

I could feel insects on me throughout the time I was in the property so it was clear there was a major flea infestation and maybe other insects as well. The floor was wet with urine in places and there was no natural light or ventilation inside as all the windows were covered. There was rubbish and hazards everywhere making it an inappropriate environment for animals to be living in.

Pet rat had been kept in a closed drawer © RSPCA

In addition to the lifetime disqualification, which they cannot contest for 20 years, they both received a six-month conditional discharge and were ordered to pay £200 costs and a £22 victim surcharge. A deprivation order was given for Chico, Puss, Penny and Shadow meaning that these animals we'll be able to rehome them after a 21-day appeal period has passed. The rats were signed over into our care and have been rehomed.

No animals deserve to live lives like this and we want to make sure we can at least give them a second chance to live a happy life.