A mother and daughter from Leeds have been banned from keeping animals indefinitely after their pets were discovered living in filthy and unhygienic conditions at their home on Kitson Street.
Following an investigation and prosecution by the RSPCA, Fiona Martin and Helen Martin were sentenced at Kirklees Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 22nd April. Both pleaded guilty to failing to meet the animals’ welfare needs. Helen Martin also admitted breaching a lifetime disqualification order imposed in 2018, for which she received an eight-week suspended prison sentence and 20 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement Days.
During a welfare check on 25 July 2023, RSPCA Animal Rescue Officer Aleesha Haddlesey described appalling conditions throughout the property:
“The conditions in the front room were unsuitable and there was a strong smell of ammonia. There were faeces and urine on the floor and rubbish and clutter everywhere. My boots were squelching due to the stairs being soaked in urine. The cats were locked in the bathroom without food or water. Fiona Martin said they had no access to any other room.”
The property housed four animals: two dogs – a German Shepherd named Lady and a French bulldog called Tyson – and two cats – Angel and Oxo. All animals were removed from the property and transferred to the Greater Manchester Animal Hospital for urgent care.
A veterinary expert confirmed that all animals were suffering, or were likely to suffer, if their circumstances did not change. Tyson showed signs of severe flea infestation and skin irritation, and none of the animals had access to food or water.
“The photographs show a very dirty, cluttered, unhygienic living space, which carries the risk of injury and disease,” the vet noted in a statement. “The environment would likely cause mental distress and prevent the animals from displaying normal behaviours.”
Fiona Martin was given a 12-month Community Order, ordered to undertake up to ten Rehabilitation Activity Requirement Days, and instructed to pay £400 in costs and a £114 victim surcharge. In mitigation, the court heard she had provided “well-meaning but incompetent care.”
The cats were rehomed by the RSPCA Leeds, Wakefield & District Branch, while Tyson was cared for by the Doncaster and Rotherham Branch and Lady by the Altrincham Branch.
RSPCA Inspector Joanne Taylor said:
“The animals were living in wholly unacceptable conditions and were not having their most basic needs met. The seriousness of this case was compounded by the fact that one of the defendants knowingly breached a lifetime disqualification from owning animals.”
For more information or to support the RSPCA’s work, visit www.rspca.org.uk.
