25 month prison sentence for woman who neglected dogs

A woman has been jailed for 25 months after pleading guilty to animal welfare offences, following an investigation and prosecution by the RSPCA.

Diane Curtis of Torrington, North Devon, was also given a lifetime ban from keeping animals when she appeared for sentencing on Tuesday (June 4) at Exeter Crown Court.

Investigations began after Devon and Cornwall Police received a complaint about a large number of dogs having been abandoned in a field in Chittlehamholt, in North Devon on March 3 2023. 

Police officers contacted the RSPCA after finding large numbers of dogs, mostly collie types, poorly accommodated, with some of the dogs also suffering from untreated illness and injuries. 

When RSPCA officers arrived, they found a bearded collie in pain from a dislocated shoulder, a terrier with a large tumour in her mouth, a collie with a skin condition and a sheepdog suffering from an ulcerated eye. None of the dogs had received veterinary treatment. 

Many of the other dogs were dirty and unkempt, the long haired dogs in particular were covered in mud and heavily matted.  A lot of the dogs had scars on their faces and parts of their ears missing. There were a number of dogs with skin conditions, others were visibly underweight and a few were lame.

As RSPCA rescuers arrived at the field, Ms Curtis also arrived in a large livestock lorry which was holding more caged and loose dogs. 

She was found to have 191 dogs in total.

Two dogs were sadly euthanased because of the severity of their condition. Three very young puppies also sadly died following removal from the premises because of their ill health.

The surviving dogs - including eight litters of puppies born since they were taken into RSPCA care - have mostly been rehomed, with just a handful waiting to find new owners.

Judge James Adkin, who sentenced Curtis, said: “The pictures show many of them in a truly pitiful condition. You showed a deliberate disregard for the welfare of the animals and a failure to seek treatment. A very high level of suffering was caused to the animals.

 "It seems to me you did love them for the comfort they provided for you. But you were selfish and had too many. You put yourself and your own feelings before the animals causing them considerable suffering."

A spokesperson for the RSPCA said: "We know how much people enjoy having animal companions in their lives but it's possible to become overwhelmed when caring for so many animals. 

“It's essential to always make sure all animals are given appropriate care and timely veterinary help. We'd encourage anyone who is struggling with animal numbers to please seek help and take up support offered to make sure animals don't suffer.

“We’d like to say a special thank you to all the other charities and organisations who helped these dogs. The police were also fantastic in the assistance that they provided.

“The other organisations involved were the Dogs Trust, Margaret Green Animal Welfare, Gables Dogs and Cats Home, and Woodside Animal Welfare Trust.  

“We also had great support from our own animal centres, including RSPCA Ashley Heath, RSPCA West Hatch and RSPCA Newport, and from RSPCA branches including the team at RSPCA Cornwall, RSPCA Little Valley and RSPCA York, Harrogate and District. 

“Many of the puppies and younger dogs were also fostered by volunteers who did a fantastic job with them and quite a few ended up adopting them.”