Jennifer Ann Waddup, of Buckland Road, Taunton, pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering, following an investigation and prosecution by the RSPCA.
The animal welfare charity was contacted with concerns after a black and white cat was presented to vets having recently passed away. Investigations showed he was covered in fleas which had caused his death.
The vet who examined Felix’s body said in their report: “I believe that Felix was suffering unnecessarily. This could have been avoided if he had received strong enough flea treatment, frequently enough. Instead, the fleas were allowed to multiply and feed off Felix.
“The heavy flea infestation would have caused a fatal blood loss. Felix would have grown weak, he would have had a loss of appetite, and he would have tired more easily. He would have become out of breath and would have started to breathe more rapidly. He would have felt dizzy and would have had a headache.
“Felix was not free from disease; his fleas were not prevented nor rapidly diagnosed and immediately treated. Felix was not free from fear and distress. His welfare needs were not met.”
Alongside the 15-year disqualification, which she can’t appeal for ten years, Waddup was also sentenced to 23 weeks custody, suspended for 18 months, and a £250 fine when she was sentenced at Taunton Crown Court. She was also in breach of a previous ban following an RSPCA prosecution in 2019.
The RSPCA says Felix's death while suffering from a severe flea infestation illustrates why it’s so important that people regularly treat their pets.
Speaking after the case, RSPCA Inspector Jo Daniel, who investigated for the charity, said: “The sad and entirely avoidable death of Felix shows how vitally important it is to treat fleas, it’s part and parcel of responsible pet ownership.
“Whilst fleas may seem like a temporary nuisance, they must be tackled quickly. As well as being very uncomfortable for your pet they can pose serious and even fatal risks to their health, as this case sadly illustrates.
“This time of year is particularly rife for flea infestations with the return of the warmer weather. It means fleas are breeding and hatching at a much quicker rate. It’s therefore crucial that owners treat and protect their pets, but the focus should always be on prevention which means using effective treatment all year round. We would always advise people to seek advice from their vet as to which flea treatment is the safest and most effective for their animal.”
Fleas can also cause itchy, red bites on humans, which may appear on the skin, especially around the ankles and legs. While it’s essential to ensure your pet stays safe, action also needs to be taken within the home environment.
- If you spot fleas on your pet, treat them quickly as they can give your cat or dog tapeworms and diseases (make sure you worm your pet as well)
- Treat your home too, as fleas can survive without a host for many months
- Clean bedding regularly and vacuum furniture, floors and skirting boards to help destroy fleas at each stage of their lifecycle.
- Throw away the dust bag from your vacuum after each use.
- Maintain your pets' flea treatment all year round, as fleas aren't only active in summer.
