Farnworth man sentenced after starving cats including one which died

Kaycee Lee Hutchinson, of Lonsdale Grove, Farnworth, was visited by an RSPCA inspector on November 7 last year after police raised concerns about a deceased cat and an emaciated cat at his property.

Upon arrival at the flat, inspector Beth Fazackerley was informed by police that officers had been forced to change their clothing after being jumped on by fleas, according to the RSPCA.

In her witness statement, Inspector Fazackerley said: “When I entered the first floor flat, I immediately noticed a foul smell, it was a mixture of general waste and cat faeces and urine.

Bagheera, Hutchinson's surviving cat (Image: RSPCA)

"Inside the flat there were two overflowing litter trays with old faeces in and general belongings and rubbish on the floors and surfaces of each room.

“An underweight female, black, domestic short-haired cat walked over to me so I confined her in my cat basket, shortly before discovering a deceased male cat.”

The inspector took the felines to RSPCA Greater Manchester Animal Hospital, where the surviving cat received veterinary treatment and the deceased cat was sent for an autopsy.

Senior veterinary clinician, Shannon McCall, examined the dead cat and found its cause of death to have been starvation and anaemia.

Bagheera (Image: RSPCA)

In her witness statement, she said: “Both cats had marked flea infestations - this would cause constant irritation, frustration and itchiness. I would expect a responsible owner to identify the fleas and seek veterinary advice.

“The deceased cat will have undoubtedly felt weakness and debilitation. Emaciation can cause mental suffering through having a constant hunger that is never fulfilled, it is reported to take at least four days for a cat to starve to death - a slow, painful and prolonged process as the body shuts down.”

Hutchinson, 20, was sentenced at Bolton Magistrates' Court on August 22 after pleading guilty to two animal welfare offences.

He was given a lifetime ban from owning animals and handed concurrent 16-week and 12-week prison sentences, suspended for 12 months.

Hutchinson was given a 12 month suspended sentence (Image: RSPCA)

Alongside the suspended sentence and lifetime disqualification, Hutchinson was ordered to carry out 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 140 hours of unpaid work.

He must also pay £450 in costs and £154 victim surcharge.

After sentencing, Inspector Fazackerley added: “The conditions Calipo and Bagheera endured were wholly unacceptable.

"Pets are totally reliant on their owners to ensure their needs are met and they are kept safe and healthy, and ensuring appropriate care is a key part of the responsibility we have towards our pets.

“It is immensely sad that an entirely preventable death occurred. But I at least hope that Bagheera will recover well and find a loving new home following our action.”