Sanctuary owner kept animals in 'filthy conditions'
Lloyd kept more than 70 cats, 14 pigs, along with dogs, horses and terrapins, according to the RSPCA
- Published
Animals in a sanctuary were "failed" by the owner after keeping them in appalling conditions, the RSPCA has said.
Tamara Lloyd, who owned the Alternative Animal Sanctuary in New York, Lincolnshire, was given an eight-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, at Lincoln Crown Court.
She was also banned from keeping animals for life and ordered to pay £65,000 in costs after an unsuccessful appeal against her original conviction.
According to the RSPCA, outcome found Lloyd "struggled time and time again to accept the pain and suffering of animals in her care".
More than 70 cats, 14 pigs, along with dogs, horses and terrapins were among the animals who were being kept in appalling conditions by Lloyd.
The offences came to light after the RSPCA executed two separate warrants in May 2019 and January 2020 after concerns were raised about the welfare of animals at the sanctuary.
The animals were kept in awful conditions, the charity said
In 2020, Lloyd was convicted of 17 animal welfare offences, following an investigation and prosecution by the animal charity. At the time, she was sentenced to a ten-year disqualification order, but chose to appeal.
The appeal verdict noted Ms Lloyd may have started with the best of intentions, but was overwhelmed with requests for her to take in animals and felt unable to say no.
RSPCA inspector Kate Burris said: "Lloyd failed in her duty towards these animals. Instead of providing the safe and caring environment she promised by setting up a sanctuary, animals were kept in awful conditions, with some left to suffer as a result."
PC Martin Green, from Lincolnshire Police's rural crime team, added: “This was one of the worst cases of neglect involving animals I have seen in many years, mainly due to the number of animals that were present, with only one person responsible for their welfare."
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