Scarborough woman banned from keeping all animals for two years
A Scarborough woman has been banned from keeping all animals for two years after her cat was left with fur loss and sores after she failed to seek veterinary treatment for a flea allergy
Last updated 29th Jan 2021
A Scarborough woman has been banned from keeping all animals for two years after her cat was left with fur loss and sores after she failed to seek veterinary treatment for a flea allergy.
Sarah Louise Nassau, 38, of Sandringham Street in Scarborough, was sentenced at Scarborough Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (26th January), after previously being found guilty in her absence in December.
On Friday 18th October 2019, the RSPCA was called to a vet practice in Scarborough as vets raised concerns about a cat in their care. Inspector Claire Little attended and was presented with the female tortoiseshell cat called Minnie who had fur loss, scabs on her back and was constantly licking and grooming herself.
Inspector Little said:
“The vets explained to me that the cat had previously been brought in by a member of the public eight days earlier as she was suffering from fur loss and irritated skin.
"The vets had contacted the owner via the microchip and the owner had collected the cat. At this time the owner had been advised to have the cat examined by a vet, however, the owner had not done so, stating at the time of collection that she was treating the cat at home with a medicated gel.
“Poor Minnie had a severe flea allergy which had caused sores on her skin and significant fur loss. She was also underweight, weighing 2.9kg which is 1kg less than she should. It was evident from her fur loss and the way she was licking and grooming herself that she was uncomfortable and suffering.”
Here is a video of Insp Little assessing Minnie back in 2019:
The court heard how the vet who examined Minnie said her waist was pinched in and they could easily feel her ribs and spine. They also observed extensive dermatitis, all across her back and around her neck.
There was evidence of hair loss which the vet explained suggested she had been extremely itchy and resorted to pulling her fur out. She was also suffering from multiple small areas of infection on the skin, with yellow coloured lesions. A number of live fleas were also observed on examination which led the vet to believe the cause of the skin issue was a severe flea allergy.
The court also heard that the vet said the fur loss was obvious to the naked eye and they would expect anyone to have recognised that the cat needed veterinary attention. The suffering endured by Minnie could have easily been prevented if the owner had sought veterinary advice sooner, the vet said in a statement.
Nassau maintained that she had done the best she could under difficult financial circumstances. She did not oppose the disqualification order being imposed as she stated she could not afford to keep any pets. It was also stated that she did not attend court before the warrant was issued due to Coronavirus difficulties at home.
Nassau was sentenced to a fine of ÂŁ120, ordered to pay costs of ÂŁ100, a ÂŁ32 victim surcharge and was banned from keeping all animals for two years. A deprivation order was also imposed for Minnie which means she can be rehomed once the 21-day appeal period expires.
The RSPCA says Minnie has recovered well in the charity's care and will be available for rehoming soon.