News

A Dacorum woman has been banned from owning animals for five years.

Jackie Connolly pleaded guilty to one count of allowing an animal to suffer unnecessarily and one count of failing to meet the needs of an animal, relating to a cat that was removed by our Animal Welfare Officers in August 2022.

Our Officers attended the property where they found a cat in poor condition, with extensive fur loss and two masses on her body. The cat was immediately transferred to a vet. The vet agreed the animal was suffering, allowing our Officers to take the cat into their possession.

After initial pain relief and monitoring the cat needed further veterinary treatment related to the masses found on its body. It was during this time that the vet advised the cat needed to be euthanised to prevent further suffering.

In November 2023, Connolly pleaded guilty to the two offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006. At St Albans Magistrates' Court on 21 December 2023 she was ordered to a pay a fine and disqualified from keeping and owning all animals for five years.

Cllr Robin Bromham, our Portfolio Holder for Community and Regulatory Services, said: “The team work hard to safeguard animal welfare and ensure that where this trust has been breached responsible persons are dealt with according to the law.”

Emma Walker, our Head of Regulatory Services, said: "All animals deserve to be cared for appropriately and it is never acceptable to neglect an animal or allow an animal to suffer, regardless of your personal circumstances. I am pleased with the court's decision to disqualify the owner from owning any animals as this reflects the suffering that was caused to this cat, which could have easily been avoided."