A TWISTED pet owner starved her cats to death before leaving them to rot in her filthy flat.
Klare Forman, 45, was slapped with a 17 week prison sentence, suspended for two years, and has been disqualified from keeping animals for life.
Jam Press/RSPCASkeletal remains of cats were found in a filthy flat in Derbyshire[/caption]
Jam Press/RSPCAPet owner Klare Forman allowed a dozen of her pets to starve to death[/caption]
Jam Press/RSPCAThe poor creatures were left in the squalid one-bedroom property in Chesterfield[/caption]
Forman, from Chesterfield, pleaded guilty to one Animal Welfare Act offence following an investigation and prosecution by the RSPCA on 24 July.
The skeletal remains of the 12 cats were unearthed in her one-bedroom property in April 2024.
Only two of the felines survived after being rescued by the RSPCA.
In his evidence to the court, Animal Rescue Officer (ARO) Neil Coleman, said: “The property was full of piled up clothing, as well as cat faeces across the floor.
“There was a deceased skeletal cat upon entrance to the front door. Within the living room there were five dead skeletal cats.
“We entered the bedroom where there was a deceased skeletal cat at the foot of the bed, and another dead black cat underneath the bed which was still intact.
“On the left hand side of the bed there was a further deceased cat, partially decomposed.
“Another dead tortoiseshell cat was found within the bedroom wardrobe.”
The fridge was switched off and the milk inside has expired in December 2023.
The court heard there was nothing left of the bodies of the deceased felines, and the lack of flesh on them led RSPCA officers to believe the surviving cats had likely eaten the remains of those who had died.
In her evidence, the vet who also examined the two partially decomposed cats, said: “Although clinical examination was limited, the poor body condition was obvious.
“The post-mortem examination provides more conclusive detail in relation to the severity of anorexia these animals would have been suffering.
“Pathological changes were noted by the pathologist which included reduction in muscle bulk and subcutaneous adipose tissue and changes to the liver which are consistent with hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver disease) in both.
“The tortoiseshell female was also found to have dilated ventricular chambers which is known to occur in cats with a deficiency in taurine.
“This is an essential protein found in most commercial cat diets now.
“This further supports that this cat and likely the other were not fed a correct cat diet for a period of weeks to months.
“This has likely led to the long-lasting negative energy balance and their death.”
Forman initially told an inspector that she had made arrangements for another woman to come and live at the flat to look after the cats, but she couldn’t provide a name or telephone number.
She said she only had four cats and couldn’t vouch for the others.
But Forman later agreed she was responsible for the animals and admitted she had never made an arrangement for someone else to look after them.
The two surviving cats were signed into the care of the RSPCA.
They have since made a good recovery and have been rehomed.In mitigation, the court was told that Forman had been using drugs and was now being assisted in her rehabilitation.
She was said to be “deeply apologetic” for the animals that had suffered, but her poor physical and mental health meant that prison would be detrimental to her.
During sentencing, magistrates said it was “one of the most distressing cases they had ever heard in their court”.
They said the description of what had been found inside the flat was very graphic and they declined to view the footage or photographs because they were too distressing.
Forman was also ordered to carry out 20 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement Days and pay costs of £400 and a £154 victim surcharge.
Speaking after the sentencing hearing, ARO Coleman said: “The scene inside the flat was extremely distressing.
“The entire flat was littered with bones and the skeletons of cats who had sadly perished in the most awful circumstances.
“I’d like to thank the police officer and the staff from the council who assisted us with this incident, which was very upsetting for all concerned.
“Although we were only able to save two cats, I’m so pleased they are both in loving homes now and the lifetime ban given to the defendant reflects how serious this case was.”
Jam Press/RSPCAOnly two of the 12 cats survived[/caption]
Jam Press/RSPCAForman was slapped with a 17 week prison sentence[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
