Blackburn couple banned from keeping animals as kitten dies after being thrown against wall

Coco the kitten was launched at a wall, possibly more than once, Lucifer suffered several fractured bones, and Ellie had to have her leg amputated following months of abuse.

Callum Richardson, 22 of Heatley Close, Blackburn, and Ellen Jayne Symon, 21 of Hazel Avenue, Darwen, both pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to the three cats identified as black and white male cat called Lucifer, a female grey and white kitten called Coco, and female tabby and white cat named Ellie, by failing to provide a safe living environment, and that you knew or ought reasonably to have known that this failure would have the effect of causing unnecessary suffering or be likely to do so.

The court heard how during the course of an RSPCA investigation between October 28, 2020, and August 22, 2021, Coco was found dead in the Heatley Close home following a blunt force trauma incident, while Lucifer was found to have 13 fractured ribs, a fractured leg and a fractured cheekbone.

Ellie was also found unable to walk as she had a broken leg.

Ellie

On May 4, Burnley Magistrates' Court heard how the RSPCA were called to investigate after a cat charity reported they had taken five cats into their care at the owner's request - and some had injuries which suggested deliberate harm had been caused to the pets.

Inspector Danni Jennings collected the cats on November 4, 2020, and took them to the RSPCA’s Greater Manchester Animal Hospital for veterinary attention as two cats were struggling to walk and another cat called Ellie had a broken right front leg.

The couple later said in interviews Ellie sustained a fractured front leg after she was struck with a sweeping brush during a domestic argument.

A leg amputation had to be carried out on Ellie who recovered from her injuries, but tests failed to establish what was causing the two other pets to lose their balance.

A severe neurological condition was suspected but it was not known what was the cause of this.

A vet decided both pets had to be put euthanised to end their suffering. The other two cats that were removed from the couple were treated for fleas and worms and were returned to full health.

Two months later, on January 26, 2021, the RSPCA were called to reports that a kitten called Coco had been killed at the Heatley Close address where the couple were living together.

The kitten's body was found in a shoe box in the home and both defendants accused each other of killing the eight-week old pet by throwing her against a wall.

A post mortem showed this was probably the cause of death - but she had a number of blunt force injuries suggesting she had been thrown more than once.

Then, while the investigation continued, in August 2021 the RSPCA was called to reports the couple had another cat in their care, called Lucifer, who appeared severely injured and was screaming in pain.

The one-year-old feline was collected by the RSPCA and rushed to the Greater Manchester Animal Hospital where he was discovered to have a fractured right hind leg, multiple historic fractures of the cheekbone and 13 fractures of the ribs.

Lucifer has since recovered after having his leg pinned and had to have two months of cage rest.

Lucifer

An independent veterinary expert told the court: “In my opinion Lucifer was caused to suffer as a consequence of physical abuse on a number of occasions.

"Suffering would have been experienced by this animal via mechanisms of fear, distress and pain on at least three occasions within six weeks.

“The fractured right forelimb evident on Ellie is consistent with the injury being caused when hit with a sweeping brush as suggested in court.

“With regards Coco there appears to be no dispute that this eight week old kitten sustained injury via physical abuse by being thrown against a wall and the post.

"But the injuries sustained by this kitten are suggestive of more than one blunt force trauma having occurred and cannot be explained by being thrown against a wall on a single occasion.”

Inspector Jennings said: “This was a horrific case of cruelty to a number of defenceless cats. This prosecution sends a statement that treating cats in this way is wholly unacceptable.”

As well as a lifetime ban on keeping all animals, at the court hearing on May 4 the pair were given 18 week prison sentences, suspended for two years, and were also ordered to carry out 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days and each have to pay £350 costs.

Ellie and Lucifer have since been rehomed by the RSPCA and are doing well in their new homes.