18 pets kept in squalor in backyard, court told

A WOMAN left 18 pets in such squalid conditions that many were left infested with mites and parasites, while two of her guinea pigs had to be put down, a court has heard.

An ambulance worker attending a fire at the home of Catriona Little, 36, in George Street, Dunblane, found 11 guinea pigs and a rabbit in hutches in her garden with six inches of soiled, damp sawdust.

Stirling Sheriff Court yesterday that a further three guinea pigs, a rabbit, and two hens were already being treated by a vet.

Many had mites and parasites, and all had to be re-homed because the vet thought they had been badly looked after - apart from two guinea pigs that were so ill they had to be put down.

Gail Russell, prosecuting, said the SSPCA was called by an ambulance worker who had been called to Little's home following a fire.

She said when the SSPCA arrived, they found various animals living in large hutches in the garden, including 11 guinea pigs and a rabbit.

Ms Russell said: "The hutches were filled with damp bedding, with sometimes the depth of 15cm of soiled sawdust.

"One of the guinea pigs had hair loss, some had urine-stained coats and several were infected with mites."

She said one rabbit had an eye infection and pus in an ear canal, while many of the guinea pigs had dark red skin because they had began scratching themselves due to their state of distress.

The court heard the animals were than taken to a local vet, who was already looking after a further three guinea pigs, one rabbit and two hens.

Sheriff William Summers said: "One way I could deal with this is by sending you to jail, but I'm not going to do that." He deferred sentence for reports.