Couple's neglect caused 14 cats to be put down

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A Christchurch couple, who had so many cats that an SPCA inspector lost count of them after 30, has been convicted of neglecting veterinary treatment for 14 of them that had to be put down.

Graeme Thomas Smith and his wife Gillian Mary Smith, both 56-year-old beneficiaries, were ordered to pay fines and costs totalling $1600.

They denied joint charges that being the owners of the 14 cats that were unwell, they failed to ensure they received treatment to alleviate any unreasonable pain or distress the animals were suffering.

They still had "about 30 to 35" cats at the Haig Street property, Graeme Smith, who conducted their defence, told Christchurch District Court Judge Jane Farish after she found them guilty.

Fourteen cats taken by the SPCA when it executed a search warrant in December were euthanised after being examined by veterinarian Ross Blanks.

Mr Blanks said they had ulcerated eyeballs, inflammations, breathing problems, and mucky discharges from the eyes and nose.

Questioned by Graeme Smith, he said all the cats were treatable but the costs would have run to thousands of dollars.

SPCA inspector Aroha Kerr told of two visits to the Smiths' property when she alleged they had been aggressive, and a third visit with her colleagues and the veterinarian. On the first visits she had seen that some cats were unwell, and had stopped counting their number after getting to 30.

She saw Gillian Smith feeding the animals and said that they were trying to care for the cats.

The Smiths told the court they had spent thousands on vet bills for cats who were given to them or taken in as strays.

Judge Farish convicted the couple, fined them a total of $800, ordered them to pay veterinary fees of $170, witness and court costs of $330, and legal costs of $300 - a total of $1600.

She described them as well meaning, and hoped they could get their regular vet to visit their home and give them advice about the dangers of eye infections and respiratory disease spreading in cat populations.

SPCA prosecutor Ben Walker said the prosecution sent a message that if people were going to have significant numbers of animals they had to be able to look after them.

- NZPA