Ban for woman who kept ill dogs in squalid home

Seven dogs were found in 'unacceptable' living conditions at Nicola Newton-Smith's home in Sheffield

A woman who kept seven dogs in filthy training cages and with untreated eye and ear infections has been banned from keeping animals for four years.

The dogs, which included English bull terriers, French bulldogs, Lhasa Poos and a pug, were found living in mud and faeces at Nicola Newton-Smith's home in Sheffield.

The 33-year-old, of Deerlands Avenue, Parson Cross, said the care of the animals had "gotten on top of her" and caring responsibilities for her partner had left her "spinning too many plates".

She pleaded guilty to several animal cruelty charges at Sheffield Crown Court earlier this month and in addition to the ban, was given a 12-month community order.

Newton-Smith was ordered to carry out 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days and told to pay £240 in cost.

RSPCA inspectors visited her home on 18 September 2023 and found the kitchen floor covered in mud and faeces and the area in and around the dogs' cages filthy.

RSPCA inspectors found the home covered in mud and faeces

Another training cage in a similar condition to the ones in the lounge was also seen in a cluttered bedroom.

Inspector Leanne Booth said the conditions at the property were "unacceptable and not appropriate for humans or animals alike".

"The dogs' most basic needs were not being met and they were spending their lives in dirty cages with no stimulation and nowhere dry or comfortable to rest," Ms Booth said.

Six out of the seven dogs had untreated infections, the court was told, and one female Lhasa Apso weighed 2.7kg (4.85 pounds), with a vet concluding it had been deprived of sufficient food "for at least a number of weeks".

Several dogs had eye or ear infections which had been left untreated, the RSPCA said

In mitigation the court was told that Newton-Smith was "emotionally very attached" to the dogs and not someone who had set out to harm them.

She had poor mental health and was the sole carer for her partner, her solicitor said, with the situation gradually deteriorating when more dogs arrived at the house from "well-meaning people".

According to the RSPCA, all of the dogs have since made a good recovery and have been rehomed.

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