THIS is the squalid house of horrors where cats were forced to eat other to survive after their cruel owner left them to die.
Shocking photos show the faeces-covered flat in Skelmersdale, Lancashire, where up to ten cats starved to death.
RSPCAUp to ten cats died in the filthy home[/caption]
RSPCAInvestigators found bones and fur scattered around the flat[/caption]
The poor animals were so neglected some were discovered partially eaten by others.
RSPCA investigators found cat skulls, jaws, legs and tail bones scattered around the filthy property.
The animals had also drunk the the toilet and sink dry of any water as they battled to survive.
Owner Lynsey Alcock, 24, was convicted under the Animal Welfare Act by avoided jail and was instead handed a suspended sentence.
She was also banned from keeping animals for five years and fined £50.
Wigan Magistrates’ Court was told RSPCA inspector Vicki Brooks went to the flat on April 12 last year following reports cats had been left unattended.
Two days later, she returned with Lancashire Police officers and discovered no one had been seen at the property for two months.
Recalling what she saw when they gained entry, Inspector Brooks said: “When the front door was opened we were immediately surrounded by a very large swarm of flies.
“I saw the remains of a deceased cat in the area to the right of the bottom of the stairs. It appeared to have been partially eaten as it still had skin and fur in some places but all that remained of the tail was bones with small amounts of flesh on.
“As I made my way through the flat I was, despite my years of experience, very shocked, disturbed and upset by what was found. The entire flat was filthy, covered in faeces and piles of rubbish and clutter were strewn everywhere.
“The flies were overwhelming and there was a very large presence of fleas. Amongst the mess the police officers and I found the remains of several deceased cats.
“I became conscious of crunching underfoot and upon closer inspection I found amongst the faeces a significant amount of skeletal and partially eaten body parts belonging to cats all over the floors of the rooms.
“There were no live animals in the flat. The scene was utterly heartbreaking.”
The court heard it was impossible to tell exactly how many cats had died at the house although it is believed to be as many as ten.
Some of the animals were mummified while others who had been forced to turn cannibal were not as old.
Although post mortems could only be carried out on four of the cars due to decomposition, starvation was given as the most likely cause of death.
Alcock claimed she had not lived at the address since September 2022, although witness statements heard in court disputed this.
She also claimed she had only been to the property once in late December and then again the following February but did not go inside.
Speaking after the case, Inspector Brooks said: “This was a particularly harrowing and disturbing case for everyone involved.
“It was not possible to establish the exact number of cats that had suffered and perished whilst in Alcock’s care due to the condition they were found in at the property.
“It was a heartbreaking scene that will stay with me for a long time and I’d like to thank the witnesses and Lancashire police for the help and support they gave me throughout this very difficult and upsetting investigation.”
RSPCAThe animals had drunk the toilet dry[/caption]
RSPCAMounds of rubbish littered the floor[/caption]
RSPCAA post mortem showed the cats had starved to death[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
