Women fined after 58 animals found in filth

Three women were told to "hang their heads in shame" after they were found guilty of keeping 58 animals, including a marmoset, in dirty and cramped conditions.

Essex Police seized the animals living in the property in Kirby Road on Walton-on-the-Naze in 2023 following a RSPCA investigation.

Julia Ann Blowes, 58, of Jasmin Way, Jaywick, Rachel Elizabeth Woods, 33, and Sandra Jane Woods, 68, both of Kirby Road, Walton-on-the-Naze, pleaded not guilty to the Animal Welfare Act offences.

District Judge Christopher Williams said it was "selfish" to keep the marmoset, called Flo, who had inadequate access to light and was sharing her space with a tortoise.

The women were found guilty of a total of 15 offences following the four-day trial at Colchester Magistrates' Court.

They were all convicted of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal.

Rachel and Sandra Woods were found guilty of failing to ensure good practice in caring for the needs of animals.

They were both ordered to pay £2,000 costs, an £800 fine, a £320 victim surcharge and were disqualified from keeping animals for five years.

Blowes has to pay £2,000 costs, a £300 fine and a £120 victim surcharge.

In mitigation, the Judge was told the women, who previously ran a sanctuary called Silver Cloud Sanctuary, were well-meaning but could not cope with so many animals.

RSPCA Insp Caroline Richardson, who led the investigation, said the enclosure where the chickens lived was filthy and had no water.

She said: "There was a layer of faeces over the enclosure. There was an unpleasant smell within the enclosure.

The ducks were found in a "dirty" and "cramped" enclosure with no water or food.

A hen and two ducklings were found in a wire dog crate with no bedding, no food and no water.

Insp Richardson added the temperature was between 32°C and 37°C inside the enclosure.

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