A couple have been banned indefinitely from keeping animals following a successful prosecution by Lichfield District Council after dogs were found living in filthy conditions without access to water.
Tom Rice and Lauren Rice were sentenced at Cannock Magistrates Court last Tuesday (September 8) after an investigation by Lichfield District Council’s Environmental Health team, following a tip-off about the welfare of animals at a property on Reynolds Close, Lichfield.
Council officers attended the property with a veterinary surgeon and found cages covered in faeces, with mouse droppings in and around them. Dog faeces were also found in a box on the kitchen worktop and across several downstairs rooms, while the dogs had no access to water.
Two dogs were safely removed from the property and taken to kennels to receive care.
Both defendants pleaded guilty to offences under sections 4 and 9 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006, relating to causing unnecessary suffering and failing to ensure the welfare of an animal.
They were both sentenced to a 12-month Community Order, including 10 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement (RAR) days, to be directed by probation, fines and costs totalling £734 each and an indefinite disqualification from keeping animals, preventing them from owning, keeping or participating in the keeping of any animals.
The order also prevents them from being party to any arrangement involving the control, influence or transportation of animals.
The disqualification is indefinite, although they may apply to the court to have it lifted no sooner than 10 years from the date of the order.
Councillor Richard Cox, Cabinet Member for Community and Public Protection, said:
“Animal welfare is an important part of the work our Environmental Health team carries out to protect our communities, and where we receive concerns about the treatment of an animal, we can investigate and take action.
“The conditions these dogs were living in were completely unacceptable. Our officers worked with a veterinary professional to ensure they were safely removed and cared for, and this prosecution demonstrates that we will act where animal welfare laws are being broken.
“We also rely on residents to tell us when they are concerned about an animal. If you believe an animal is being neglected or mistreated, please report it to us so our team can look into it.”
Lichfield District Council is urging anyone who has concerns about animal cruelty or neglect to report them to the Environmental Health team immediately.
To make a report to the council regarding please visit the animal welfare web page.