Dog owner banned after pet found in 'squalid' room

Princess made a full recovery under the care of the RSPCA

A woman has been banned from owning animals for ten years after confining her dog to a room in her flat that inspectors described as "squalid".

Louise Downton, 25, of Rattle Croft in Stechford, Birmingham, was found guilty in absence of failing to ensure animal welfare at Birmingham Magistrates Court on 4 August.

She was given a ten-year animal disqualification and ordered to pay £400 in costs.

"The stench of faeces and urine coming from inside the property was evident through the bottom panel in the front door, which had been removed," said RSPCA Inspector Boris Lasserre.

He said the dog, Princess, was confined to the living room and was visibly underweight, while there were hazardous materials on the floor, including broken glass.

"The floor of the living room was stained and damp with urine. There were stains of smeared and trodden faeces, as well as numerous faecal deposits," he said.

"There was no food or water available... two steel bowls were on the floor, one upturned in the living room, the other empty on the balcony, a third empty bowl was on the cabinet by the open window.

"The back of the door had numerous scratch marks where she had pawed at the doors. The area of the floor around the living room door was caked in a layer of faeces."

Princess was taken to RSPCA Birmingham Animal Hospital on 15 August 2024, where her weight was recorded as 12kg.

The RSPCA said while in its care she made a full recovery and her weight increased by 30% in the first 30 days.

In mitigation, Downton said she was struggling to look after herself at the time, but has since turned her life around and was remorseful.