A woman has been dragged before a court after dogs which lived in disgusting conditions were rescued from her home.
In a heart-wrenching video, released by South Yorkshire Police, the poor animals can be seen frantically lapping at water from a tap in a filthy bathroom covered in dirt.
Shelby Russell, 29 from Sheffield, has been banned from owning pets for 10 years after she left her cats and dogs to starve to death.
Russell's pet cats and dogs were discovered by the RSPCA to be living in scaled conditions surrounded by their own faeces. They had also been starved and dehydrated after Russell left them unattended for over a week.
In a heart-wrenching video, released by South Yorkshire Police , the poor animals can be seen frantically lapping at water from a tap in a filthy bathroom covered in dirt
The court heard how footage and photographs obtained for evidence showed the dogs scrambling to get to water once it was given, and that they continued to drink continuously for minutes
An RSPCA inspector arrived at the home on October 14 last year and could see the animals alone inside the property.
They placed seals on Russell's door to see if anyone gained access to the property before the Inspector returned two days later.
With no one having entered the property, the Inspector called South Yorkshire Police to help rescue the pets.
Russell returned to the home before police arrived and gave a variety of excuses for why her pets had been left in such a state.
The excuses included that she had ‘been in hospital', ‘had a paid a dog sitter who failed to care for the animals', ‘left the tap running 24/7 for the animals' and ‘fed them three times a day'.
As the RSPCA began starting to catch and seize the animals, Russell became aggressive and threatening, pushing an inspector, and stating she ‘would stab anyone who tries to take her babies'.
After officers arrived at the property, she was arrested and taken into custody.
The court heard how footage and photographs obtained for evidence showed the dogs scrambling to get to water once it was given, and that they continued to drink continuously for minutes.
Following the seizure of the animals, a vet gave their expert opinion on the condition and reasoning the animals were extremely underweight.
No results came back to state the animals had medical issues stopping them from eating and since their seizure, their conditions had improved.
Russell's pet cats and dogs were discovered by the RSPCA to be living in scaled conditions surrounded by their own faeces
Following the seizure of the animals, a vet gave their expert opinion on the condition and reasoning the animals were extremely underweight
Dog Legislation Sergeant Matt Duffy said: ‘Animals deserve to be cared for and loved.
‘Leaving them defenceless, locked in cages to starve and dehydrate is disgusting behaviour.
‘I am pleased today that Russell has been banned from owning any animals for 10 years for the pain and suffering she inflicted on these poor animals.
‘We will not tolerate animal cruelty within South Yorkshire and will work with our partners to ensure those responsible are put before the courts.
‘Thankfully this investigation had a happy ending, and the animals were making good progress with their care within the RSPCA.
‘If you have concerns about an animal in your community, report it.'
Russell appeared before Sheffield Magistrates' Court yesterday and was sentenced to a 10-year ban from owning animals, ordered to undertake 20 days rehabilitation and pay fines totalling £199.
