Woman kept cat despite life ban by court

Her lawyer Gerry Coyle said:”She believes in what is an old wives’ tale. She is a vulnerable woman because she cannot read or write.”

“She is vulnerable because of her physical difficulties.”

Ann Holden, 59, of Waterloo Road,South Shore, admitted causing unnecessary suffering to a cat called “Hoyles” and another un-named cat.
She also admitted being in breach of a lifetime order banning her from keeping any animals. Alongside her in the dock was her carer and neighbour James Lally , 57, also of Waterloo Road.

He admitted two breaches of a lifetime ban from keeping animals,breaching a suspended jail sentence and twice breaching a lifetime animal-keeping ban.

Jonathon Fail,prosecuting for the RSPCA, said that an inspector went to Holden’s flatand a cat dashed across a cluttered room in front of her.

The cat was found to be suffering from an open wound and scabs and lumps.

A further cat was discovered in poor condition and in another room there were two finches and a cockatiel.

The cats were taken away to a vet who examined them and said that both had endured suffering.

Paul Robinson, defending Lally, said his client’s ban had been put in place after being convicted of an offence involving dogs.

He added: “He is also a vulnerable man.He has been helping Miss Holden out – one week he would get pet food, the other week she would do it.”
District Judge Jeff Brailsford sitting at Blackpool Magistrates Court told Lally:”This is the fourth time you have breached the banning order.You are hugely fortunate not to go to prison today. But I think Miss Holden will suffer if you went to prison and I am told you have met the terms of your probation.”

Lally was given an 18-week jail term, suspended for 12 months, and told to pay £230 costs.

Holden was told by the judge: “I accept you are vulnerable and have day-to-day problems but the animals you kept did suffer.”

She was placed on a six-month community order with a 15-day rehabilitation order.She must pay £230 costs.