A tiny kitten had to be put down after his owner abused him so badly that he eventually smashed his skull in.

Archie Spencer, 19, left Wolfie with injuries similar to those caused in a car crash in the final attack.

The four-month-old kitten had to be put down.

Spencer’s girlfriend Rebecca Guy, 19, kept taking the kitten to the vet to try and help him, claiming the injuries had been caused accidentally.

Spencer has been jailed for the abuse, while Guy has been banned from keeping animals for life.

Wolfie suffered numerous injuries between January 25 and March 28, while Spencer lived at a Wolverhampton flat with his partner.

Rebecca Guy took Wolfie to the vet three times. The first time he had a head injury. Weeks later he had suffered five broken ribs, and on a third occasion on March 28 he had a horrific skull fracture which went from one side of his head to the other.

The final injury was so serious the vet decided the kindest thing was to put the cat to sleep and, believing the injuries had been caused deliberately, called in the RSPCA .

Inspector Kate Parker said: ‘The pair had always denied harming the cat, however in court Spencer took responsibility for the injuries to Wolfie – although we will never know what actually happened.

‘On the third and final occasion the cat was clearly badly injured. The vet took some video showing poor Wolfie who looks barely alive and when she touched him he reacts, which demonstrates he would have felt pain.

‘That is when the decision was made to end his suffering and later an X-ray revealed his horrific skull fracture.

‘Poor Wolfie was only four-months-old and in that short life enjoyed so much suffering and pain – it is horrendous to think what he went through.

‘In the end he was barely alive and breathing in his own blood, it was truly awful.’

‘In over four years as an inspector this case has been one of the most sickening to investigate, and it saddens me that we will never know the full facts on what Spencer inflicted on Wolfie, but I am grateful to the courts for their sentencing.

‘The life time ban given to Spencer will hopefully mean he can never inflict such suffering on another animal.’

Expert witness Vet David Martin concluded that the force that must have been used by Spencer, of Goodwood Drive, Wolverhampton, on the third and
subsequent fatal attack could be likened to that seen on a road traffic collision.

Spencer admitted causing unnecessary suffering to the cat and was jailed for 12 weeks and banned from keeping animals for 10 years.

Guy, of the same address, pleaded guilty to one animal welfare offence of failing to protect the cat from pain and suffering, and was given an eight-week jail term suspended for a year and was banned from keeping animals for life.

An abandoned pregnant dog was found covered in so much of her own poo the RSPCA couldn’t tell what colour she was.

The dog, who has been named Florence, had a closed eye when she was discovered and a cut to her face.

She was left in a filthy wet crate wrapped in plastic, which had no bedding and was filled with faeces.

Her makeshift home was discovered on Sunday night in an alleyway near Florence Road, in Finsbury Park, north London.

Vets at the RSPCA’s Harmsworth Memorial Animal Hospital found a dead puppy inside her ruptured uterus.

Emergency surgery was needed to save Florence’s life.

If Florence was left any longer she would soon have died a ‘horrible death’, the RSPCA said.

‘Poor Florence has been through a heartbreaking ordeal, but despite it all she has still been friendly, even though she is so poorly,’ a hospital spokesperson said.

‘When she came into us we did an ultrasound that showed the presence of a dead foetus in her uterus.

‘Sadly it is most likely she was having difficulty giving birth when she was abandoned.

‘If she had been seen by a vet sooner they could have intervened and maybe helped and saved her pup.

‘There was also a superficial wound on her face which has been treated.

‘She is currently recovering on fluids and medications but is still in a serious condition.’

RSPCA officer Nicola Thomas said Florence’s situation was both heartbreaking and tragic.

‘I would like to thank the member of the public who contacted us after finding poor Florence in the alleyway,’ she said. ‘They kept her safe until I arrived to collect her.

‘When I first picked her up she was covered from head to toe in faeces and smelled so awful.

‘You couldn’t actually tell what colour she was meant to be.

‘Dumping a dog for any reason is heartbreaking, but to think that this poor girl was so poorly and also in the midst of labour is just tragic.’

She added: ‘It is also clear that Florence has had numerous puppies in the past and was probably a breeding dog, so therefore if anyone thinks they have had a puppy from her we would also urge them to get in touch.’

Anyone who recognises Florence can contact the RSPCA immediately on our inspector’s appeal line number on 0300 123 8018.

A woman had the shock of her life when she looked outside and saw a seal rummaging around in the bushes of her garden – four miles from the sea.

The three-week-old seal is thought to have travelled up a drainage system and was searching on mainland in the hope of finding food and water.

The woman, from Terrington St Clements, Norfolk, had to take a double-look as she looked out of her garden window and saw the baby seal.

She immediately called the RSPCA who arrived shortly after to rescue it.

RSPCA officer Naemi Kilbey said the ‘incredibly feisty little fella’ would have died of starvation if it had not been found.

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She said: ‘When the call first came through I was wondering if there had been a misunderstanding as to how far inland this pup had been found, but it turned out this little pup really was miles from the sea.

‘He was an incredibly feisty little fella and it took all my strength to catch and rescue him, but it would have been his spirit and fight for life, that would have kept him alive during his ordeal.

‘If he hadn’t been found he would have likely died of starvation due to not being able to find any food.

‘I’m so glad that this was a happy ending and that the pup was found. He really was quite a character.’

The pup was taken to the RSPCA East Winch Wildlife Centre in East Winch, Norfolk, where he was checked over before being released to the shore days later.

RSPCA East Winch centre manager Alison Charles said: ‘Seals are incredibly strong and powerful wild animals and can have a very powerful bite which can cause horrible wounds.

‘People may think they are helping, but these are wild animals, and need to be left well alone.

‘If you see a sick or injured pup please call the RSPCA’s emergency cruelty line on 0300 1234 999.’

Today in ‘extremely London photos’, we have a young fox cub passed out on top of a microwave.

He may have got fed up with sleeping behind bins, so climbed into a family’s home through the cat-flap, knocked over a few pot plants and curled up for the night.

Kim Fryer, who found him when she came downstairs at 7am, said: ‘I turned on the kitchen light expecting him to make a bolt for the cat-flap but instead he just opened one eye and did not move.’

She called the RSPCA and the animal was taken to a rescue centre and checked over for any injuries or illness. He was given a clean bill of health and released back into the open near the home where he was found.

Kim Fryer was at home in Rawnsley Avenue, Mitcham on December 15 when her daughter discovered the fox early in the morning.

‘My daughter found him at 7am and called up to me. I came down and spotted this little fox curled up on top of the microwave,’ she said.

‘I have five cats and a dog so obviously I have a cat flap. He must have crawled under the gate and through the cat flap. A couple of my plants were smashed and there was mud everywhere.

‘I put the light on and one eye opened but he didn’t move. We could tell there was something wrong with him.’

A spokesman for the RSPCA said Inspector Phil Norman attended to collect the fox. He was taken to the charity’s Putney Animal Hospital, in London, where vets checked him over and monitored him.

‘While he seemed extremely weak and lethargic to begin with he soon perked up and staff could find nothing wrong with him,’ said the spokesman.

‘He had got in through the cat flap and found a nice warm spot to sleep in. He was quite happy to be taken in to the hospital for a health check but was understandably not keen on being in a cage.

‘Fortunately he was quite healthy with a beautiful fluffy coat, so after a thorough check over he was released back to the area he was found in by one of the hospital staff.’

Someone left a newborn puppy to die in an alleyway on Christmas Day.

The RSPCA has launched an investigation after the paralysed dog was found in Carr Street by a member of the public, who looked after it at home before contacting the animal charity two days later.

It was left in a cardboard box in Bradford with no food or water.

Inspector Dave Holgate later collected the dog and took him to a nearby vet.

‘Unfortunately, the little crossbreed puppy was in a terrible state,’ he said. ‘He was collapsed at the rear and was dragging his back legs.

‘It seems as though his back end was paralysed and he was unable to use his legs.

‘Goodness knows how long the poor pup had been in this state – he may have been born like this or could have deteriorated as he grew.

‘I suspect he was abandoned by the breeder when they realised he would need expensive veterinary treatment or would fail to sell.’

Vets assessed the tiny dog and discovered he was suffering and was sadly unlikely to recover so he was put to sleep on welfare grounds.

‘It’s so sad that we weren’t able to save this little puppy but I’m just glad he’s no longer sat inside a cardboard box cold, frightened and in pain,’ added Inspector Holgate.

‘At least he felt love and compassion in his final hours.

‘To abandon this poor puppy – who was too young to be away from his mum and siblings – is disgraceful, but to do so on Christmas Day with him in dire need of veterinary attention is despicable.

‘I’m now seriously concerned about his mother and I’m appealing for anyone who recognises this pup or may know where she’s come from to get in touch by calling our inspectorate appeal line on 0300 123 8018.’

A terrified dog was tied to a tree and abandoned by its owner just 50 metres away from an RSPCA shelter.

Bruce the rottweiler cross was spotted by a dog walker who immediately contacted the animal welfare centre.

Officers from the RSPCA Ashley Heath Animal Centre in Ringwood, Hampshire, said Bruce was ‘very scared and shaking’ when they found him.

Now they have launched an investigation to try and find Bruce’s owner.

RSPCA inspector Jo Story said: ‘Bruce has a microchip but the details are not up to date so we do not know if he has previously been lost, or perhaps even stolen.

‘He was very scared and shaking when he was first found, with no sign of an owner around.

‘We’re not sure how long he was there as people could have driven by and not seen him. It was a dog who noticed him first and alerted its owner.

‘We understand he is 16 months old and was most recently rehomed along with his sister to a woman in Bournemouth around four months ago, however we have been struggling to get in touch with them.

‘We’re really keen to hear from anyone who recognises Bruce, knows where he came from, or who knows how he came to be left alone.

‘He’s very affectionate and enjoys attention. He is a lovely dog.’

A ‘beheaded swan’ that turned out to be a plastic toy and a ‘dead dog’ on a roof that was really a cuddly toy are among the RSPCA’s most entertaining call-outs.

The charity gets a number of calls every day and has revealed some of the most bizarre requests for help they have received.

While animal welfare officers experience many distressing scenes, it was nothing but laughs when they responded to a call from people in Grantham, Lincolnshire, concerned about a bright red scorpion on a pavement.

RSPCA animal collection officer Paula Jones arrived to the cordoned area to find the distressed public surrounding a rubber toy.

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She said: ‘Cecil the scorpion is now my van buddy and keeps me company on the road.’

A woman in Warrington, Cheshire, was terrified by the sight of a headless swan and called RSPCA to report it, who quickly realised it was just a decorative plastic bird.

Inspector Claire Fisher said: ‘We all had a laugh about this one and, to be honest, were just relieved there wasn’t a swan that had suffered an awful death.’

Another distressed caller reported what he thought was a dead dog on a flat roof of the Elim Pentecostal Church on Dalton Road in Port Talbot.

Inspector Nigel Duguid was relieved to find out it was only a toy.

He said: ‘We get calls to all sorts of things – all animals of all shapes and sizes and species – but in my 37 years as an RSPCA inspector I have never been called to rescue a cuddly toy before’.

Another swan incident was also worrying for the RSPCA officers, when a number of people reported an injured swan in Thornton le Dale, North Yorkshire.

The bird was supposedly not moving and did not look afraid of people or traffic.

The officer that attended the had trouble locating the swan – until she realised the reports were about a group of five decorative wooden swans that had been put up for Christmas.

On another occasion residents in Stoke Newington, London, reported a skinned cat being dumped in a garden, where the RSPCS officers ran to check and even found the ‘body’ covered with a towel.

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Luckily, the ‘cat’ was eventually nothing more than a fur hat.

RSPCA inspector Kate Ford said: ‘I was very relieved it wasn’t the dark case I was expecting to turn up to.’

A concerned woman reported a distressed lizard in Hackney, London which turned out to be a dog’s elephant-shaped chew toy.

Other occasions included a kite put up to scare birds which was mistaken for an actual bird, a worried cat owner who mistook a happy squirrel for her missing pet, and a grey heart-shaped cushion was mistakenly reported as an injured owl.

Assistant director of the RSPCA Inspectorate Dermot Murphy said: ‘Every day is different at the RSPCA and our officers are used to responding to heartbreaking calls, taking on hair-raising rescues and, from time-to-time, dealing with laugh-out-loud situations.

‘From stuffed toys to decorative models, our officers have helped them all.

‘While we all enjoy a giggle at this time of year, there is a serious message here too.

‘Every year we’re under more and more pressure to help animals who desperately need us.

‘Everyone who called us had genuine concerns that there was an animal in distress and we rely on public to be our eyes an ears and let us know when they fear an animal is suffering.

‘Perhaps these calls are just a reminder to maybe take a closer look before picking up the phone.

‘However, thankfully these mishaps are few and far between and we would like to thank everyone who takes the time to report suffering to us and helps us make the world a kinder place for animals.’

Armed police officers forced their way into a prisoner’s home – to rescue his starving gerbil.

The hungry pet’s owner had been in jail for a week but had refused to give the RSPCA access to his address so that they could rescue the animal.

Eventually Derbyshire Police and the Armed Response Unit were called to the Allestree property and entry was forced.

The gerbil was then escorted to a nearby vet so that it could be cared for by the RSPCA.

Derby City Police Safer Neighbourhood Team later posted on social media about the unusual incident.

‘Tonight our officers have been on the sharp edge of policing as always,’ they wrote.

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‘Our friends at the RSPCA informed us that an individual who was currently in prison, and had been for nearly a week now, had a gerbil at his home address.

‘Sadly the individual was refusing to give access to their address so that the RSPCA Officers could prevent the gerbil from dying or suffering unnecessarily.

‘Our officers forced entry to the address, with some help from the Armed Response Unit and found the gerbil who was thankfully still alive, but very hungry.’

They added: ‘We’re not just about arresting bad guys and posing for photos on Facebook. Sometimes we’re a bit soft and caring.’

A spokesperson at Derbyshire police said armed officers are routinely called on to provide support in gaining access to properties where there is a cause for concern.

They said: ‘Responses to calls from partner agencies, such as the RSPCA, are one of the many elements of community policing.

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‘Attendance at this incident had no impact on operational policing, due to Armed Response Vehicles being deployed across the county.

‘Armed officers are routinely called on to provide support in gaining access to properties where there is a cause for concern.

‘Had there been a need for them to be deployed elsewhere, officers would have been able to be mobilised quickly.

‘In addition, on entering the property, officers found that the gas fire had been left on. This was switched off and the property able to be made safe.’

Upsetting photos reveal how the RSPCA discovered a badly abused and emaciated dog lying next do the decomposing bodies of its siblings.

The one-year-old terrier refused to leave the sides of the two other animals after they had been abandoned in a kennel.

The RSPCA said it was releasing the graphic pictures to highlight the issue of animal abuse and attempt to catch the people responsible.

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An inspector who visited the scene, in Runcorn, Cheshire, described it as ‘the saddest sight I have seen in 12 years in the job’.

Gareth Forshaw discovered the animals after his own dog repeatedly barked in the direction of the kennel.

‘When I peered inside I could see two dead dogs and the smell of their decomposition hit me,’ Mr Forshaw said.

‘Me and a neighbour went to get some water and food for the poorly dog and backed away from the kennel.

‘She then came out from where she was hiding and drunk all the water and ate all the food before jumping back in the kennel and laying on the dead dogs.

‘She was so scared. It was awful and really upsetting for all the neighbours who were trying to help, especially as we knew she had been left with the dead animals which were probably family members.’

After calling the RSPCA the neighbours managed to put a dog lead on the terrier so she wouldn’t run away.

There was another dog outside the kennel that ran off when he approached, he said.

Inspector Lisa Lupson, who attended the scene, said: ‘It was truly horrendous, the poor dog was so ill and frightened.

‘She still wanted to be with the dead dogs, which we believe were her siblings.

‘Initial reports suggest they had been dead for a number of days.’

The sick dog was rushed to Greater Manchester Animal Hospital where she is being treated for severe mange and weight loss.

Lisa added: ‘She is the sweetest little thing.

‘When we got to the hospital I gave her biscuit and in spite of all she had been through she wagged her tail, so we’ve decided to call her Biscuit.’

The RSPCA would like anyone with information about this incident to call their appeals line on 0300 123 8018.

A dog riddled with cancer collapsed after someone left him tied up to some railings at a park in London.

Passers-by at Clissold Park, in Stoke Newington, initially thought the dog had been left temporarily by its owner when they first spotted him at around 8pm on Wednesday.

However, when they noticed he was still there an hour later they grew concerned and contacted the RSPCA.

Animal-welfare officers arrived to find the dog, a brindle and white Staffordshire bull terrier, with a bloated belly and overgrown nails.

The underweight dog was also depressed and lethargic.

Inspector Jemima Cooper said: ‘I find it unbelievably sad that an extremely sick dog who was in desperate need of veterinary attention was left alone to fend for himself.’

He was rushed to RSPCA’s Harmsworth Animal Hospital where vets discovered that he was suffering a severe terminal cancer.

Cooper continued: ‘Sadly, vets have found he is riddled with cancer, and though they are doing all they can to make him comfortable right now, he is in a very bad way.

‘We’re still trying to find out more at this stage as to who dumped him and why.’

The charity has appealed for information and is trying to find out why someone ‘dumped’ him at a time he ‘needed them the most’.

Cooper added: ‘He had a microchip but there do not appear to be any details registered, so we’re asking the public if they happened to see anything on Wednesday that might help our investigations, or if they recognise the dog.

‘The people who found him were really kind and kept him with them safely at a nearby pub until we arrived.

‘He’s a very friendly, affectionate older boy which makes it so much harder to understand why somebody thought the right course of action was to abandon him at a park, at a time when he needed them the most, it’s heartbreaking.’

Anyone with information can contact the RSPCA in complete confidence on 0300 123 8018.

The RSPCA has launched an investigation after the dead body of a kitten was found soaked in urine and faeces, zipped up in a child’s lunch bag.

Police were called on Saturday afternoon after a man made the grisly discovery of the kitten’s body inside the lunch bag in York, North Yorkshire.

The young kitten, who is believed to have been between 10 and 12 weeks old, is feared to have died in the bag.

RSPCA Inspector Alice Cooper said: ‘The kitten is around 10 to 12-weeks-old and is distinctive in her appearance.

‘We believe she’s an oriental breed and is cream in colour with dark grey/brown ears, tail and smudges near her eyes.

‘This poor little kitten was found zipped up in a bright pink cool bag, like a lunch box, with Travel Trace printed in bright blue on the front.

‘I’m concerned she may have been alive when she was shut in the bag due to extensive scratches on the inside of the bag.

‘She was also soaked in her own urine and there was evidence of formed faeces in the bag.’

The kitten was not microchipped and wasn’t wearing a collar or ID tag.

Inspector Cooper, who is now investigating, has launched an appeal to find out whether the poor kitten died in suspicious circumstances.

She added: ‘This is a busy area so I’d be surprised if no one saw the bag being dumped nearby.

‘I’d like to speak to anyone who may know the owners of the kitten to find out how she died.

‘It’s heartbreaking to think of this poor, innocent cat dying a slow and horrible death inside this tiny bag and I really want to speak to anyone who may be able to shed some light on what happened here.’

Inspector Cooper is now speaking to locals and collecting CCTV footage from properties in the area.

Anyone who may be able to assist with the investigation should contact the RSPCA’s appeal line on 0300 123 8018 and leave a message for Inspector Cooper.

A devastated dog owner whose pet died after eating bones is warning others of the potential dangers of ‘natural raw treats’.

Katy Wilson, from Kinmel Bay, lost her Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Jilly, earlier this month after feeding her duck necks bought from a pet store.

But less than five days after eating the treats, the 11-year-old dog started to experience sickness and diarrhoea, she was unable to sit or lie down and was pacing back and forth.

The 57-year-old took her to All Pets in Prestatyn, where she underwent an X-ray and a health check which revealed there were fragments of bone causing an obstruction in her bowels.

Tragically there was nothing the vet could do to save Jilly and she died at the surgery hours later.

Now, the heartbroken owner is warning others of the dangers of feeding natural treats with bones to pets.

She said: ‘Every dog owner should know about the dangers of feeding their pets these treats.

‘I think they should be taken off the market, but at the very least they should have warning signs on the back of the packaging.

‘I’ve never seen any warning about the dangers of these raw, natural treats in the past.

‘I’m absolutely devastated and I’m angry. She was such a lovely dog. But her story needs to be told. If I can save just one other dog from dying by warning others of the dangers of these treats, I will do her proud.’

Although Jilly had suffered a number of illnesses throughout her life, Ms Wilson said she had been well in the days before her death.

‘It came as a huge shock to die the way she died,’ she added. ‘She had every issue going throughout her life, but I never expected her to go the way she did.’

Ms Wilson, who has three other cavaliers, added: ‘I’d bought them all some new raw and natural treats from a local pet shop so they all had some duck necks. They were all fine.

‘Jilly loved them so I went and got some more a few days later.

‘There was no warning on the packets that they could cause any harm and I’d never heard of anyone else saying they are dangerous.

‘I’ve seen them in a few pet shops in the area. People need to be aware of the dangers. It was absolutely horrendous.’

RSPCA Cymru said it advises against feeding bones to dogs because of the risks of obstruction, damage to the teeth and fatal injuries.

A spokeswoman added: ‘Most dogs do find chewing items rewarding and relaxing so we would encourage owners to consider other safer dog friendly chew toys and treats.

‘There are many different types of treats available and the suitability may depend on various factors such as the size of the dog and how vigorously they chew.

‘If an owner is unsure whether a product will be safe for their pet they should seek advice from a vet.

‘If a pet is unwell after eating a treat, particularly if they are vomiting or gagging then immediate veterinary treatment should be sought.’

A man who locked his two Labradors inside a car in 29C heat has been banned from keeping dogs.

The RSPCA was called to York Hospital after people spotted the sweltering dogs in Nicholas Foreman’s red Kia hatchback on June 25.

When the animal welfare officers arrived, the police had already smashed the car window to free the dogs.

RSPCA Inspector Alice Cooper said: ‘Both the dogs were panting heavily and were extremely distressed.

‘The car was parked in direct sunlight and, although a window was slightly open, it was incredibly uncomfortable inside the car.

‘The temperature that day was 29C and the dogs were suffering the effects of heat exhaustion so we rushed them to the vets.’

Thankfully, both Zoe, a three-year-old black Labrador, and Penny, a two-year-old chocolate Labrador, managed to recover.

Penny had to have cool baths to bring her body temperature down as it reached dangerously high levels.

Foreman, 58, of Mill Close in Bridlington, East Yorkshire, was found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to the dogs at York Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.

He was banned from keeping dogs for five years and sentenced to 150 hours of unpaid work.

He was also ordered to pay £300 in costs and a £85 victim surcharge.

‘Penny and Zoe were incredibly lucky,’ Inspector Cooper said. ‘Unfortunately, we’ve been called to many incidents of dogs being left in hot cars where the animals have succumbed to the heat.

‘I really hope that cases like this will help to demonstrate the dangers of leaving pets in hot environments when the weather heats up.’

The RSPCA said it received 5,527 reports of animals suffering heat exposure this summer, the majority of which related to dogs being left in hot cars.

Inspector Cooper added: ‘It’s just not good enough – no one should be gambling with their dog’s life.’

Penny and Zoe were signed over to the RSPCA after the incident and are now being looked after by staff at York Animal Home.

They are described as ‘sweet’ girls who are totally devoted to each other and enjoy playing and snoozing together.

Staff are now hoping to find a home for them together, where they can enjoy long walks with a family that is around for them for most of the day.

For more information about adopting Penny and Zoe, you can visit their online profile or contact RSPCA York Animal Home by calling 01904 654949 or emailing reception@rspca-yorkhome.org.uk.

A mum and daughter have been banned from keeping animals after horses, cats and dogs were found living in ‘18th century conditions’.

The RSPCA were called to Cherrywood farm in Gwespyr, Wales, following concern about the condition of several animals.

They found a horse and a dog neglected so badly they were immediately put down.

Shocking pictures taken by animal welfare officers show their emaciated bodies at the rat-infested small-holding, run by Joy Veronica Edwards, 61, and her daughter Phillipa Edwards, 36.

In total, nine horses, two dogs and 15 cats were seized by the RSPCA.

Two of the cats were later put down.

A paddock for horses was more like a pond, and the outbuildings had clearly not been cleaned for some time, a court heard.

The judge said society demanded that people who had animals looked after them properly.

The animals had been kept in conditions more akin to the 18th or 19th century, he said.

Prosecuting solicitor Glen Murphy said a rat infestation had broken out at the premises and the council pest control officer had been called out.

He said the environment the animals were kept in was not suitable and there was concern the defendants did not have the financial means or the physical ability to care for them.

Joy Edwards, who is said to have bred and shown horses at local and county level for many years, was banned from owning horses, dogs and cats for eight years.

She received a 12 week prison sentence suspended for a year with rehabilitation and 120 hours unpaid work after she admitted five charges brought by the RSPCA.

Mrs Edwards must pay £150 costs and a £115 surcharge.

Phillipa Edwards was banned from keeping animals for three years and was fined £300 with £150 costs and a £30 surcharge.

She admitted two charges and had asked that a horse and a dog should be returned to her.

But the banning order means that all animals, including nine horses and three dogs still at the premises, will either have to be signed over to the RSPCA or put down.

Bob Vickery, defending, said Edwards was in a state of distress that one of her horses had been shot and the carcass left for her to dispose of.

That had caused a huge amount of hurt, he said. He said she accepted she should have had it put down earlier.

Mr Vickery said: ‘The animals are their life. They live in an isolated rural location.’

Their difficulties had been made worse by one of the worst winters on record and they were unable to move them to other sites because there were none available, he said.

Black cats haven’t had the best press over the last few hundred years.

All the way from Celtic good luck charms, to the object of deep-seated suspicion and scorn, they’re the moggies that seem to attract unusually strong feelings on both ends of the spectrum, from love to loathing.

Which all seems a bit unfair really, considering that no one has seriously believed that black cats are demons or witches in disguise for at least 300 years.

But still, it feels right that they get their own exclusive slot to serve as center of attention, which is why National Black Cat Day occurs every October 27th.

You might have seen some of the best photos circulating online. Proud owners showing off their felines, or snaps of the local neighborhood cat. All very wholesome and adorable.

Even though some of the most absurd associations might have melted away, it’s still a fact that black cats are by far the least likely be adopted.

So it could be time to do your bit, if you’ve been thinking about bringing a pet into your life.

For those with a bit more disposable income, you can also buy a black kitten—breeds such as the Bombay are solid black and are renowned for their playfulness.

If that’s too much of a commitment, then there are other smaller ways to make a difference. Making a donation to Battersea Dogs & Cats Home is one small practical way of providing help, or whichever shelter operates in your area.

An RSPCA spokesman was quoted on what they hope the awareness raising they hope the day will achieve.

‘We are really hoping to highlight how difficult it is for the black cats to find homes compared to their colourful friends’.

‘National RSPCA statistics show black cats on average take 30 days to find their forever homes compared to an average of 19 days for ginger cats’.

‘For us we feel choosing a cat or kitten to adopt should all be about personality, not the colour of their fur and we want to show off our amazing black kitties on National Black Cat Day’.

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Three men have been charged after undercover footage showed pigs ‘jabbed with a pitchfork and kicked in the face and head’.

Other scenes show workers apparently slamming gates on pigs’ heads and laughing at the abuse and swearing at them.

The alleged abuse at a farm in Lincolnshire was filmed by animal rights activists after they were given a tip off.

The video was filmed in April this year at Fir Tree Farm in Goxhill, which is part of the Elsham Linc group, has a herd of around 10,000 pigs and the group is one of the country’s largest pig producers.

Concerns were raised with animal rights charity Animal Equality, who obtained the undercover footage.

Artis Grogprkevs, Gavin Hardy, and Troy Wagstaff have been charged with causing unnecessary suffering to landrace pigs.

In one incident, workers are seen kicking pigs in the face and head, often repeatedly.

In another clip, pigs are jabbed repeatedly with pitchforks and heard squealing in anguish.

Other scenes show the workers slamming gates on pigs’ heads and laughing at the abuse and swearing at them.

In February at the same farm, 70 pigs were killed and almost 200 rescued in a major fire which swept through the pens.

Artis Grogprkevs, 31, of Fir Tree Farm Cottage, Goxhill, Gavin Hardy, 39, of Greengate Lane, South Killingholme and Troy Wagstaff, 30, of Chantry Lane, Grimsby, have been charged with causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal between April 2, 2018 and April 27, 2018.

Grogprkevs has been charged with causing unnecessary suffering to four landrace pigs, by inflicting blunt force trauma, physical violence and using a pitchfork inappropriately.

Hardy has been charged with causing unnecessary suffering to two landrace pigs, by inflicting blunt force trauma, physical violence and using a pitchfork inappropriately.

Wagstaff has been charged with two counts of causing unnecessary suffering to numerous landrace pigs, by inflicting blunt force trauma, physical violence and using a pitchfork inappropriately.

They were due to appear at Grimsby Magistrates Court on October 26, but the case was adjourned until November 22, as the RSPCA had not served the men the relevant paperwork.

A woman who caused her cats to drown by pushing their faces down the toilet has been spared jail.

Abbi Mann, 36, called police to claim her pets had been poisoned.

But when officers and the RSPCA investigated in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, they found the bodies of the cats, Bob and Max, dumped in the living room.

Warning: This article contains graphic pictures that some may find upsetting.

Mann later confessed to pushing their faces into the water in July last year but denied killing them.

However, the mum was found guilty of killing the animals in an inappropriate and inhumane manner after a trial and, on Monday, was sentenced to six-and-a-half months in jail, suspended for one year.

Sentencing Mann, District Judge Andrew Davison said: ‘It was a dreadful offence on two poor innocent, little cats. It is a sickening and cruel offence and they were drowned not by being tied in a sack and thrown in a river but they have died in your hands which is most sinister.’

RSPCA inspector Rachel Leafe said it was a ‘truly shocking case’.

She said Mann appeared to be ‘drunk’ when she called police a number of times.

She added: ‘During the calls she told the call handlers that her cats had been poisoned before saying she’d pushed one of their faces into the water.

‘The cats were said to have wet fur and there were puddles of water on the floor.

‘When I attended the cats’ bodies were still there and there was fur around the toilet and sink basins.

‘It’s difficult to think about the fear and suffering these cats must have endured in their final moments.’

The prosecution told the jury how Mann, of Chesterfield, killed the cats with her ‘bare hands’ in a ‘cruel act’.

Mann told the court she had found the animals dead outside her home but vets for both the prosecution and defence concluded they died from drowning.

A third cat, found alive in the house, was given to the RSPCA to rehome.

A hand-reared cygnet has been reunited with the man who nursed him back to health after he was left for dead earlier this year.

Sidney the swan was just a day old when he was discovered near Jones Boatyard in St Ives, Cambridgeshire in May and taken into Rob Adamson’s care.

The newborn bird had been abandoned by its mother and attacked by an animal, leaving two large wounds on its neck.

Mr Adamson, who lives on a boat on-site, looked after the tiny cygnet for a period of around seven weeks, taking him on boat rides, shopping trips and even cuddling him in bed.

In July, he decided to give Sidney to RSPCA so he could integrate with other swans.

But what the 39-year-old didn’t expect was a phone call from animal rescuers three months later – telling him that the swan missed him too much and asking him to take him back.

‘I couldn’t bear to be without him and he clearly missed me too,’ Mr Adamson said.

‘When cygnets are away from their parents they can become really distressed. He tried to adapt to being a swan while he was away but he just wanted to be back on the boat.

‘I think he must have been too used to his home comforts. It was just magical seeing him back in the boatyard, it means everything to me considering all that we have been through.

‘It was just the perfect end to our story.’

Sidney was first found in May by a marina worker, who spotted him while mowing the grass at Jones Boatyard.

Mr Adamson then took him and nursed him to health with special swan food and green peas – now his favourite snack.

The cygnet quickly adapted to his new life well and even became friends with the marina’s chihuahua, Sophie.

‘I have a little box next to my bed that he is meant to sleep in but he wouldn’t have any of that,’ Mr Adamson said.

‘He is not happy unless he is cuddling up to me and then he can fall asleep straight away.

‘I pick him up and he falls asleep. If it’s a bit chilly then he will curl up in the corner of my jacket quite happily.’

Mr Adamson decided to give Sidney to the East Winch RSPCA wildlife centre in Norfolk in July once he was old enough to feed himself.

But three months later, they called to ask if he could take Sidney back.

And it seems pair have fallen back into their old lifestyle together – with the swan immediately recognising his former owner’s distinctive whistle and rushing over to him.

‘I am just over the moon because if he had been released somewhere else I would never have seen him again,’ Mr Adamson said.

‘I whistled at him as I would do when I was outside and trying to get his attention and he whistled back rushed over to me.

‘I felt like a proud father seeing him come home. I am so grateful for everything that has happened and for the amazing RSPCA.

‘How often do you get to rescue a baby cygnet from death, raise him and see him grow into a beautiful swan?’

This shocking footage shows the ‘horrific’ conditions reindeer are being kept in at UK farms ahead of Christmas.

Some reindeer were allegedly found with raw, exposed skin, diarrhoea and skeletal abnormalities, while others had broken antlers.

The undercover footage was taken by Animal Aid at three farms in Kent, Staffordshire and Cheshire in 2017 and 2018.

At Kent Reindeer Centre, a worker was filmed apparently kicking a reindeer twice, as well as shouting abuse at the animals in May 2018.

Pictures taken at Blithbury Reindeer Lodge in Rugeley, Staffordshire, in Spring 2018 show reindeer with patchy fur, bowed legs and broken antlers.

Animal Aid claim that one at that centre was in such poor health that it had to be put down.

Meanwhile, photos they claim were taken at the Cheshire Reindeer Lodge show reindeer being forced to live in an empty yard.

Several animals across three centres also had visible ribs while several were kept in ‘desolate’ and ‘unnatural’ conditions, the charity claims.

Tor Bailey, campaign manager at Animal Aid, said: ‘Our investigations have revealed the shocking suffering of these gentle animals.

‘Reindeer are sensitive wild animals, not props to be paraded around and used for human entertainment. I would urge the general public not to support events which feature live captive animals and find other more animal-friendly ways to enjoy the festive period.’

The footage and photos come after government figures show that between 2014 to 2017, 571 reindeer were imported from Sweden, Finland and Norway.

Animal Aid claim that once they are brought to the UK – usually to be used in festive grotto and reindeer parades – they are susceptible to a variety of diseases and pathogens.

A charity spokesperson said they had reported their findings to each area’s Trading Standards department, DEFRA and the RSPCA.

Dr. John Fletcher, founder of the Veterinary Reindeer Society said he was ‘disturbed’ by the footage and findings.

He said: ‘Reindeer have adapted to live in the Arctic. They are not well able to cope with the stress of captivity, and most of the diseases we see here in reindeer are stress-related.

‘DEFRA need to stop the export of reindeer into the UK.’

Trading Standards at Kent County Council said it had been told about concerns at the centre, and attended but ‘found no particular concerns at times’/

They said one animal was thin due to age and they didn’t take any extra action.

Stephen Swinnerton, owner of Blithbury Reindeer Lodge dismissed the allegations against his farm and said all of his animals were happy and healthy.

He said: ‘The video was footage was taken without our knowledge and if the person concerned had addressed their issues to us at the time, in person, we would have been in a position to alleviate their concerns there and then.

‘The reindeer in question was a retired animal named Forest who I had raised from a calf and who had reached the ripe old age of 17 (very elderly by reindeer standards who barely live beyond 10 years on the tundra).

‘Due to the complaints we had no choice but to have him euthanised, which caused me and my staff much distress.

‘With respect to ‘extensive fur loss’ – reindeer have an extremely thick winter coat which they shed every year in the spring from March onwards – in order that by summer they will be sporting their much shorter (and often darker) summer coat.

‘Whilst they are shedding this very thick winter coat – they shed this in chunks and look very untidy (very unlike how they look at Christmas).

‘This is totally natural and every reindeer does this every year. They are often mistaken as having some “terrible skin condition” but this is totally normal for every reindeer.

‘With respect to reindeer not being suited to being kept in Britain due to the mild climate – we travel regularly to Scandinavia to visit Sami reindeer herders – on our last visit to Arctic Circle to bring back reindeer moss to feed our reindeer with in July, the temperature there was 33 degrees centigrade.

‘Our reindeer are well fed with totally organic pasture, a specialist reindeer pellet diet with extra selenium, plenty of salt licks readily available and are kept safe from predators – they have no reason to roam.

‘All our paddock fencing here is only 4ft high – any self- respecting reindeer could jump this without breaking their stride but none have ever done so as they feel safe, are well fed and contented with their company.

‘I am a founder member of the British Reindeer Herders Association, hold a full zoo licence and am a licensed by the local authority who conduct regular inspections.’

Trading Standards at Staffordshire County Council said they have had no reports in relation to the farm and haven’t taken any action.

A Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) spokesperson said: ‘We are taking strong action to tackle animal cruelty, increasing prison sentences for animal abusers ten-fold.

‘Reindeer are protected by both the 2006 Animal Welfare Act and the 2018 Animal Welfare Regulations, meaning it is a criminal offence to cause them unnecessary suffering.

‘Anyone found guilty of these crimes can be given an unlimited fine or sent to prison.

‘The Animal and Plant Health Agency investigates all allegations of breaches to these strict rules and we urge anyone with concerns about the welfare of animals to report them.’

An RSPCA spokesperson said: ‘It is never acceptable to kick an animal as seen in this footage and when we were alerted to it we sent an officer to the scene.

‘Reindeer are semi-wild animals that are highly adapted to the arctic environment. They have very different needs to deer that are native to the UK and it is much more difficult to meet their needs, particularly when kept by non-specialists in small groups for use at festive events.

‘This means having them in a busy environment, surrounded by crowds, noise and lights during a festive event makes it even more difficult.

‘They get stressed easily and are very susceptible to many health and welfare problems when kept in permanent captivity in the UK, particularly in southern areas.

‘We are really concerned that every year, reindeer are used across the country at festive events and exposed to a busy environment, surrounded by crowds, noise and lights, and this can cause these semi-wild animals a great deal of stress.

‘Anyone with further concerns for the reindeer, or any other reindeer, can call us on 0300 1234 999.’

Metro.co.uk has contacted Kent Reindeer Centre and Cheshire Reindeer Lodge for comment.

The charred remains of a missing pet cat have been discovered near its owner’s home.

The RSPCA said Bonnie the cat was set on fire before being wrapped in a red jumper and dumped on the street.

An investigation has now been launched following the disturbing discovery in Coventry, West Midlands, on October 31.

RSPCA Inspector Ben Jones went to Harefield Road to collect the body, and said: ‘The body was blackened and charred all over as if the cat had been set on fire.

‘The burned remains had then been wrapped in a charred red blanket and dumped under a tree.

‘What we don’t know yet is whether this poor cat was still alive when he was set on fire.’

Inspector Jones checked the cat’s body and found a microchip registered to a nearby home.

The horrified owners confirmed the cat had been missing for over a week.

‘I sincerely hope Bonnie wasn’t alive when she was set on fire,’ Inspector Jones added. ‘If she was alive then this is a really horrifying case.

‘Her body was first spotted on Halloween so my fear is that this is some sort of harrowing prank.

‘This has been really upsetting for Bonnie’s owners and must have been a big shock for the person who found her.

‘I’m really keen to hear from anyone who might have some information that could help our investigation.

‘Anyone with any information can contact us on 0300 123 8018 and leave me a message.’