A woman has been banned from owning animals for 10 years after cats and dogs in a poor condition were found at her home.
Sandra Elizabeth Morrell-Willis, aged 49, of College View, Castletown, admitted an offence of causing unnecessary suffering to animals.
She appeared before magistrates for sentencing last week.
In addition to the ban, she was ordered to carry out 80 hours of unpaid work in the next 12 months.
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Prosecuting advocate Barry Swain told the court that cats and dogs were found after housing officers went to Morrell-Willis’ house on June 17.
The officers were responding to a complaint about animal excrement in her garden.
But when they went to the home they could get no answer when they knocked on the door. The officers then went to the rear of the property and found a black labrador and a grey poodle in the garden.
Concerned
It was said that the skeleton of the labrador was visible and the poodle had long matted hair.
They were so concerned about the dogs that another visit was arranged on June 25, this time with police and the ManxSPCA in attendance.
Again there was no answer when they knocked on Morrell-Willis’ door but the dogs were again at the back of the property.
When police entered they found four cats which were later diagnosed with malnutrition and severe dental disease.
A vet assessed the animals on a scale of one to nine, with one being the poorest condition, at one or two.
The animals were removed by the MSPCA.
Morrell-Willis was interviewed at Castletown police station.
She said she had not intentionally neglected the animals but had been struggling with depression, and as a result, had struggled to care for them.
Struggling
A probation report said that Morrell-Willis worked as a home carer assisting the elderly in their own homes.
Morell-Willis said that she had left food and water for the animals while working.
And she explained that she left the back door open for the dogs to access the garden.
The report said that she had been struggling to look after herself due to depression.
Morrell-Willis was said to still be keeping a budgie at her home.
Magistrates ordered that the 10-year ban comes into force in a week’s time, to allow time for her to arrange for it to be rehomed.