Kevin Castle, 53, and Julie Lugg, 54, of Buxton Road, Walsall, have been banned from owning animals for ten years after admitting to causing unnecessary suffering to a dog and three kittens under their care. The couple faced charges after neglecting the pets, resulting in severe starvation and flea infestations.
The RSPCA investigated the case and discovered Chase, a dog in a severely underweight state with visible ribs and spine, fur loss, and scabbed skin. The three five-week-old kittens were also found underweight, with two suffering from severe eye discharge and difficulty opening their eyes. The kittens were diagnosed with flu and flea infestation at the RSPCA’s Birmingham animal hospital.
Thanks to prompt veterinary care, the kittens regained over half of their body weight within two weeks, and Chase’s condition improved significantly after receiving flea treatment and proper nutrition.
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Authorities confirmed that no underlying health issues were present in any of the animals, emphasizing that the owners could have easily provided the necessary diet and care.
At Birmingham Magistrates’ Court on October 6, Castle and Lugg pleaded guilty to cruelty charges related to neglecting adequate nutrition and parasite control for Chase and failing to treat the kittens’ eye infections. They were each sentenced to eight weeks in custody, suspended for 12 months, alongside 20 days of rehabilitation activities.
In addition to the ten-year ban on keeping animals, both were ordered to pay £350 in costs and a £154 victim surcharge.