Consett couple kept underweight and flea-ridden cats

Kevin Malpass, 39 and Charlene McGilligan, 39, of Briardale, Consett, were convicted of animal welfare offences for a second time after the RSPCA found the cats at their home.

Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court had already banned the couple from keeping animals for ten years in December 2017.

The conditions the cats were left in (Image: RSPCA)

Despite the ban, RSPCA inspectors visited the couple’s Consett home on November 5, last year, after reports that cats were being kept there.

McGilligan answered the door and admitted she had animals at the property.

She was told she was likely in breach of her ban and confirmed her partner, Malpass, was also living there and was subject to a disqualification order.

The cats were left with thickened skin after the neglect (Image: RSPCA)

The cats were taken to a vet, where three were found to be underweight and suffering from skin disease.

Lilo, Tinkerbell and Misty had notable bald patches and fur staining caused by flea allergic dermatitis.

Wendy was also underweight and Nala had live fleas.

Nala in RSPCA care after rescue (Image: RSPCA)

Lilo when rescued (Image: RSPCA)

The court heard the cats were infested with fleas and four had bald patches and thickened skin.

The five cats were kept in a property that an RSPCA inspector described as “incredibly cluttered” with little room to move around.

Inspector Catherine Maddison said: “Ms McGilligan allowed us into the property which was incredibly cluttered and had little room to move around.

“She stated that the cats were upstairs but she refused us access to go up there and said she would go and get them."

Misty in RSPCA care after rescue (Image: RSPCA)

McGilligan eventually brought the five cats downstairs.

Four were black-and-white females: Lilo, Tinkerbell, Misty and Wendy. Nala was tortoiseshell and white.

The couple pleaded guilty to four animal welfare offences at a hearing on June 17.

Lilo in RSPCA care after rescue (Image: RSPCA)

At sentencing on August 20, magistrates heard that the couple had mental health issues and had taken in the cats as strays.

The couple also believed they could appeal the previous disqualification order after five years, but had not sought legal advice.

A vet concluded: “The needs of all five cats have not been met to the extent required by good practice, namely they have not been provided with an adequate environment, nor have they been protected from disease.”

Wendy in RSPCA care after rescue (Image: RSPCA)

All five cats recovered at the RSPCA’s Felledge Animal Centre and have since found loving homes.

The couple are now banned from keeping animals for life.

Tinkerbell in RSPCA care after rescue (Image: RSPCA)

Speaking after sentencing, Inspector Maddison said: “Kevin Malpass and Charlene McGilligan should not have been keeping animals. The cats that were discovered at their house had not been afforded the most basic care, with three of them in particular suffering unnecessarily for weeks as a result.

Nala when rescued (Image: RSPCA)

“We depend on the public to be our eyes and ears and we take breaches of bans very seriously, as do the courts, which is reflected in the sentencing of the defendants in this case.

“With the right veterinary treatment and the care they received from our wonderful staff at Felledge Animal Centre, Wendy, Lilo, Tinkerbell, Misty and Nala went from strength to strength. The images of them afterwards are testament to their hard work and dedication and we’re so pleased they are all now in loving homes.”