A Leicester man has been banned from keeping all animals for five years after causing unnecessary suffering to a cat called ‘Dolly.’
Ashley Graveling of Herle Avenue, Leicester, appeared before Leicester Magistrates Court, where he pleaded guilty to two counts of causing unnecessary suffering to a cat called Dolly by failing to seek veterinary care for a skin disease and failing to investigate and address the cause of her poor bodily condition and weight loss.
He was sentenced to eight weeks in prison suspended for 18 months, disqualified from keeping all animals for five years and ordered to pay £150 costs and £154 victim surcharge.
The court heard the RSPCA had visited the defendant on a number of occasions over concerns for his animals being left unattended.
Dolly was examined by a vet and was in a generally poor condition – she was suffering due to a skin disease in which she had multiple small crusting lesions and scabs – which would be itchy and painful and pose a risk of infection.
Her weight loss indicated that she had not been provided a suitable diet and this would have caused suffering through hunger and lack of energy.
Dolly was signed over to the RSPCA – along with a rabbit and both are doing well in our care.
Speaking after the case inspector Herchy Boal said: “The RSPCA had tried to help this defendant on a number of occasions – but he did not take our offer of support.
“The RSPCA urges anyone struggling to take care of their animal to ask for help and act on advice, rather than neglecting them and leaving them to suffer.”
In mitigation the defendant said he had been suffering with his mental health – which resulted in him having difficulty looking after himself and in turn his animals. He accepted he should have got help.
