Addict caged for pet cruelty (From Dudley News)

Addict caged for pet cruelty

11:50am Thursday 23rd October 2008

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A CALLOUS heroin addict who left three dogs, two cats and a hamster clinging to life without food and water at her Kates Hill home has been jailed for 10 weeks.

Vicky Mills, formerly of Jasmine Road, was sentenced at Birmingham Magistrates Court on October 16 after pleading guilty to a charge of abandonment of animals as well as a breach of a disqualification ban.

The News covered her trial at Dudley Magistrates Court in October last year which she failed to attend, with Magistrates issuing a warrant for her arrest.

During the trial the court heard how 31-year-old Mills, who now lives in Bearwood, Warley, was previously convicted in 1998 for causing unnecessary suffering of a Staffordshire bull terrier cross, and was disqualified from keeping animals for 12 years.

The court heard how inspectors had sealed the doors at Mills’ home on December 13 2006, re-visiting every day to feed the cats through the letterbox.

On December 17, finding the doors still sealed, and the cats “throwing themselves at the door”, inspector Jacqui Miller called Dudley Council’s Housing Association, which along with the police, broke into the house.

On entering they were met with an horrific scene, with over-flowing litter trays, faeces throughout the house and an “horrendous smell.”

They found a ginger and white cat and a black cat, both aged five months in the hall, who both appeared “quite hungry” and a rib thin three-year-old corgi-cross tethered in the garden with just a bowl of rainwater.

Inspectors heard barking coming from the kitchen, but the court was told the door was locked and did not have a handle.

Using a screwdriver to gain access they found a six-month-old German shepherd and a one-year-old Collie-cross dog, who both bounded out and started to eat the contents of the litter tray.

The hamster was found dead in its cage. It had been left without food.

James Turner, defending Mills, told the court she had led a chaotic lifestyle as she battled to “free herself from heroin.”

Sentencing Mills, District Judge Joti Bopa-Rai said: “You knew you should not have been keeping animals. You already caused suffering to another dog and regardless of the order we have heard about three dogs, two cats and a hamster which died before the RSPCA arrived.

“You chose to disregard the order made by the court and these animals were subject to neglect for a long period.

“The pictures of your house are disgraceful.”

Mills was also sentenced for other offences and received a total of a 26 week jail term.

Speaking outside court, RSPCA Inspector Jacqui Miller said she was pleased with the sentence.

She said: “It has taken two long years to get to this point, but I am extremely satisfied with the result.”

Adding: “After 28 days the animals were released to us and they have all been happily rehomed”.

To see more pictures released by the RSPCA including photos of the home of Vicky Mills Click here

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