Animal Watch
Mother facing bankruptcy after fine for neglecting cat
A MOTHER-OF-TWO on the verge of bankruptcy has been ordered to pay more than £1,200 after her emaciated cat was found close to death.
Sharon Bendelow provided a home for Simmy in December 2005, after he had been cared for by the Blue Cross animal welfare charity.
But yesterday, the 38-year-old appeared before magistrates where she admitted causing unnecessary suffering by neglect.
RSPCA inspector Garry Palmer found Simmy close to death after visiting Bendelow's home in Grange Close, Dishforth, North Yorkshire, in June, last year.
Stuart Berry, prosecuting, said she admitted in an interview that she had "no idea" of the last time she had taken Simmy to a vet.
"She knew about the conditions, but did very little, if anything at all, to alleviate them until the point that the cat nearly died," he said.
Mr Berry said Inspector Palmer took the cat straight to a vet after finding it visibly distressed, emaciated and with a matted coat.
"Weighing only 2kg, Simmy was a bag of bones - the normal weight for a healthy adult cat is about 4kg.
"He had sores where he had tried to chew off the matted areas and a raised heartbeat caused by untreated hyperthyroidism.
"It took a month for him to find Bendelow, which perhaps says something about the care this cat was receiving - none.
"He did manage to speak to her and she accepted she was fully responsible for the cat and was aware of the hyperthyroidism. She gave the cat over to the RSPCA and it has since gone from nearly starving to death to a perfectly healthy cat."
Bendelow, who was unrepresented in court, said she had been unable to afford vets fees and intended to file for bankruptcy.
However, Sandra Snaddon, chairman of the bench at Northallerton Magistrates' Court, told her she should have returned Simmy to the Blue Cross charity.
She ordered her to pay £809.51 RSPCA costs, £200 court costs, a £200 fine and a £15 victim surcharge.
Afterwards, RSPCA inspector Lucy Cooke urged anyone struggling to pay for their pet's treatment to call the RSPCA on 0300-1234-999. They have local branches that offer help with vets bills for those who cannot afford it.
The Blue Cross (01993-822651), Cats Protection League (08702-099099) and PDSA (0800-917-2509) also offer this help.
Simmy is now back to full health and living with his new family.
6:02am Tuesday 11th March 2008
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