Sheffield mother and son banned from keeping animals after RSPCA finds pets living in ‘putrid’ conditions
“The stench in this small room, of faeces and ammonia, was putrid and made my eyes water, despite the window of the bathroom having been left open by a crack.”
A Sheffield mother and son have been banned from keeping animals for five years after the RSPCA discovered dogs and cats living in filthy, flea-infested conditions inside a Norfolk Park home.
.jpg?trim=237,0,783,0&crop=&width=640&quality=65)
Jean Williams, 58, and George Charles Williams, 22, both of Samuel Road, pleaded guilty to animal welfare offences at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on May 8 following an RSPCA prosecution.
.jpg?crop=3:2,smart&trim=&width=640&quality=65)
The court heard how officers found three dogs being kept in stacked crates without bedding, while five cats were later discovered upstairs in cramped and unsanitary conditions covered in faeces and rubbish.
The court heard how RSPCA Inspector Vanessa Reid found four cats locked inside a “small, filthy bathroom” where the smell of faeces and ammonia was so strong it “made [her] eyes water”.
She said: “The stench in this small room, of faeces and ammonia, was putrid and made my eyes water, despite the window of the bathroom having been left open by a crack.”
Officers discovered soiled litter trays and “old, trodden-in faeces” across bare floorboards during a warrant visit to the property on April 30 last year.
The inspector also described bedrooms piled high with rubbish, rotting food and belongings, while another frightened cat was found hiding beneath debris in one of the rooms.
She said officers had to climb over rubbish and bicycles to reach a filthy mattress, adding: “The smell emanating from the mattress was horrific and made me feel physically ill.”
The RSPCA first visited the address in June 2022 after concerns were raised about dogs allegedly being left alone for long periods.
Inside, officers found two Yorkshire terriers called Lucy and Chase, alongside a 12-year-old Jack Russell named Patch, being kept in stacked crates without bedding.
Patch was slightly underweight, and advice was given to improve the animals’ living conditions, increase feeding and declutter the property.
Despite repeated visits and warnings, the conditions worsened and all eight animals developed heavy flea infestations.
Veterinary examinations later found the cats and dogs were suffering from live fleas, balding fur, dental disease, dirty ears and urine staining on their coats.
An expert vet concluded the property was “not a suitable environment for animals to live in” and warned the animals’ welfare would have been compromised had they remained there longer.
Jean Williams admitted failing to meet the welfare needs of five cats and three dogs, while George Williams admitted failing to meet the needs of the five cats.
The offences included failing to provide a clean and safe environment, adequate parasite control, fresh drinking water, suitable resting areas and veterinary care.
Jean Williams also admitted confining dogs in cages for long periods and failing to provide adequate exercise.
Sentencing the pair, the judge said the case was not one of “deliberate mistreatment” and acknowledged both defendants had underlying personal and mental health difficulties.
Defence lawyers argued the neglect stemmed from an inability to cope rather than intentional cruelty, and said both were now receiving outside support.
Both defendants were disqualified from owning animals for five years.
Jean Williams was also ordered to pay £200 in costs and a £26 victim surcharge, while George Williams was ordered to pay £100 costs.
Inspector Reid said: “Jean and George Williams were given multiple opportunities to improve their pets’ welfare and provide a safe environment for them to live in.
“They failed to take reasonable steps to care for their animals, contrary to the Animal Welfare Act 2006.”
The animals were signed over to the RSPCA earlier this year and have since been rehomed.