Woman who let 18 animals suffer in squalid Perth flat hit with 10-year pet ban

A woman has been banned from keeping animals for a decade after authorities seized 18 neglected pets from a filthy flat in Perth.

After a seven-day jury trial earlier this summer, Nicola Connor was convicted of a string of neglect charges relating to children and animals.

Connor was found guilty of animal neglect after 12 dogs and six cats were seized from the two-bedroom flat.

The pets were rescued by police and animal welfare officers from vile conditions at a urine and faeces-covered property in the Craigie area in November 2022.

Two pets were so emaciated, the Scottish SPCA’s chief vet told Perth Sheriff Court it was as if they were living through a famine.

Connor strenuously denied being being to blame, claiming – despite what she had earlier told investigators – she was not their owner.

She tried to claim she did not even stay at the flat and had never lived in Perth.

Mitigation

Sentencing had been deferred for social workers to prepare a background report on Connor.

Defence counsel Kevin Jarvis said: “Ms Connor was convicted of five offences. There were amendments made such that the animal offences were limited in scope to just one day.”

He pointed out the 39-year-old is a first offender and the crimes were committed almost four years ago.

He said: “Ms Connor acknowledges her guilt and acknowledges the verdict of the jury but continues to deny responsibility.”

Mr Jarvis explained within Connor’s family home, relatives have two dogs. He added her mother and brother each have two cats with which she has regular contact.

Mr Jarvis added: “Ms Connor relies on family support from her parents.

“Ms Connor herself suffers from anxiety. She suffers from long-term trauma. I understand that’s been brought on by her relationship with a previous partner.

“She receives counselling for that. There’s a risk that her anxiety and diagnosis of PTSD could worsen.”

Charges

The jury unanimously found her guilty of four charges of causing the 18 animals unnecessary suffering on November 17 2022:

All of the pets were exposed to squalid cramped conditions strewn with faeces, urine and household debris;

• She failed to provide them with adequate ventilation;
• Cats did not have access to clean litter trays;
• There was no way for the animals to go to the toilet outside;
• Connor failed to provide them with adequate hydration and nutrition, nor a clean
• environment;
• In particular, she did not get veterinary treatment or advice for St Bernard dog, Tink and Labrador, Sausage, which had ear conditions;
• Sausage and cats, Tinkerbell and Ella, were suffering from weight loss and a cat called Boo, had an eye condition.

Connor tried to convince jurors the animals were the responsibility of her ex-partner.

She told the court she did not live at the property and had only spent one or two nights there throughout the three-year relationship.

“I’ve never lived in Perth,” she insisted.

Connor was also convicted of wilfully ill-treating two young children in her care over a 15- week period “in a manner likely to cause unnecessary suffering or injury to health”.

‘Truly appalling’ exposure

Sheriff Jennifer Bain KC imposed a 7pm to 7am curfew on Connor, keeping her indoors overnight for the next nine months.

She also imposed three years of supervision and a decade-long animal disqualification order.

This will prohibit Connor from owning or keeping animals, transporting or working with animals, providing services relating to animals or taking charge of animals.

The sheriff said it would be “hard not to be moved” by the evidence of the unnecessary suffering Connor caused.

Sheriff Bain KC said: “The evidence this court heard and saw in photographic form about the condition of (the flat) was shocking.

“The fact that any living thing was exposed to those conditions was truly appalling. The charge accurately describes the conditions as squalid.

“I’ve taken account of everything that has been said on your behalf and the terms of the social work report. It is clear that you have suffered trauma in your background.

“It is through the imposition of a range of community orders that there would be a suitable alternative to custody.”

A spokesperson for the Scottish SPCA said: “The Scottish SPCA is pleased that Connor was handed a ten-year ban. This was a horrific case of animal neglect and we are glad that we’ve got justice for the animals involved.”

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