Woman who hoarded 69 animals gets life ban

A WOMAN who kept a staggering 69 animals in appalling conditions at her modest three-bedroom house in Bilton has been banned from keeping pets for life.

Carole Cartledge was slapped with the ban after a court heard how she kept nine cats, three dogs and some 57 rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas and birds in filthy, cramped and disease ridden conditions at her home in Cherry Grove.

Magistrates in Nuneaton were told how police and RSPCA officers spent a 'long and difficult' day clearing Cartledge's home once the extent of her animal hoarding was discovered.

The 65-year-old pleaded guilty to ten charges of neglect which included failing to provide food and water, a hygienic environment and veterinary care for her animals.

Prosecuting for the RSPCA, Nicholas Sutton, said: "She showed a systematic disregard for the animals in her care and the appalling conditions she kept them in.

"You simply cannot keep this number of animals in this type of environment. It's outrageous and the animals suffer as a result."

Mr Sutton told the court the RSPCA believed Cartledge hoarded animals for no apparent reason other than a mistaken belief she was caring for them by taking them in.

The situation only came to light in June when a woman was invited round to Cartledge's home to buy some of her chinchillas.

The woman later told the authorities how she entered to be met with an overpowering smell. Once inside she saw cats being kept in cramped rooms behind locked doors, two obese dogs and cages stacked on top of each other containing a large number of chinchillas and birds.

She also claims to have found three dead kittens in a bin outside the house, although this matter was not pursued by the court.

Once alerted, the police and RSPCA went to Cartledge's home and seized nearly all of the animals, only leaving behind her dogs and some of the cats.

Vets who examined the animals found they were distressed, malnourished, dehydrated and suffering with diseases and dental problems.

Defending Cartledge, Simon Marlow-Ridley, told the court she had experienced financial difficulties in recent years which made it difficult for her to afford vet's bills.

Mr Marlow-Ridley also explained how Cartledge felt a need to 'look after things' and had taken in other people's unwanted pets.

He said: "What happened was not cruelty but was due to her need to look after things. She looked after her parents who died, her two husbands who died, and her grandson from six weeks old because his mother had mental health problems.

"She is clearly someone who loves animals but got herself into a terrible mess and tried ineffectually to do something about it."

The court heard how she had tried to get rid of the chinchillas earlier but could not sell them and was not helped by the RSPCA.

Since the animals were removed, Cartledge had cleaned up her home and is now receiving help from her children.

She was given 120 hours community service and a lifetime ban on keeping any animal except dogs, of which she has three.

Cartledge was also ordered to pay £500 court costs.